As my eyes dart over the pages of Luke, I am reminded again of the incredible scene the doctor presents us with. As somewhat of an amateur historian, Luke researched his findings with great care and presents us with incredible details that help to fill in the question we all ask, "What happened that first Christmas?" and most importantly, "What does it mean?"
First the mention of Caesar Augustus, a man of history. The ruler of Rome, imputed with great social status, power and privilege. Deemed the "savior" of the ancient world, considered a "son of god", acknowledged as the man who brought "peace" to all of the Roman empire, his place was of highest honor. However God isn't interested in what mankind would deem as powerful. Status and social position is not a thing that impresses the King of Kings. Caesar's reign was small, limited to an empire that has long ago faded into the world's history books. His realm of power, small, insignificant compared with the vastness of the heavens and eternity. Luke will define for us what, or should I say Who, is the true power in this world.
Second the announcement of the divine birth of God's Son was not made in marble halls or against the backdrop of royal scarlet, but to those who lacked any position or status in the land. Meager shepherds, "watching their flocks by night." Working men, looking to support their families and sacrificing much to do so. It is to these men that the angelic announcement comes concerning a Boy born not to His parents, but to them.....to all of us. As the prophet Isaiah prophised seven hundred years earlier....."A Child is Born, A Son is given...." (Isaiah 9:6). It is the gift of God to a people that had, and still does, reject Him. A gift of grace.....a tangible Gift that displays God's great love for mankind. A Son given......to us.......we like the shepherds, low, the lowly among God's creation....yet created in His image....A Son given to us......to die in order for us to truly live.
Third, the great response of the shepherds. They searched out the Child, wrapped in swaddling cloths (a beautiful picture of the atoning death of Christ to come.......for Jesus never was far from the shadow of Calvary's Cross). And they came with great haste.......they ran to see the Child....gazing upon the face of THE SON of David. Sent by God to deliver them......but they may have not realized the extent to which this Child would deliver......not just Jews, but Gentiles (For in the descendent of Abraham all the families of the world would be blessed). Not just the religious, but more so the unrighteous. He came down from the place of Heaven, the place eternal, to the earth.......the greatest gift of Christmas.
His government will be ruled by justice and righteousness. A kingdom that will be ruled by love and grace. A government that will have no end, but stretches to all the ends of reality.....the visible and invisible. Caesar's reign has no comparison to the Price of Peace.
God's Son has been born to us.......a gift given from the Father Himself to mankind. What more evidence is needed to prove His great and perfect love for the imperfect?
And finally.....the response of the shepherds.......how will we respond this Christmas season? Will we run to Him with haste, the same haste children do Christmas morning towards a tree surrounded by presents? How will you respond? How will we all respond this Christmas to the Savior, the bringer of peace, the true Son of God?
In the words of Charles Dickens classic "A Christmas Carol" I would like to echo the words of a young, crippled boy who knew the grace of God and loved the LORD........"God bless us, everyone."
MERRY CHRIST MAS
First the mention of Caesar Augustus, a man of history. The ruler of Rome, imputed with great social status, power and privilege. Deemed the "savior" of the ancient world, considered a "son of god", acknowledged as the man who brought "peace" to all of the Roman empire, his place was of highest honor. However God isn't interested in what mankind would deem as powerful. Status and social position is not a thing that impresses the King of Kings. Caesar's reign was small, limited to an empire that has long ago faded into the world's history books. His realm of power, small, insignificant compared with the vastness of the heavens and eternity. Luke will define for us what, or should I say Who, is the true power in this world.Second the announcement of the divine birth of God's Son was not made in marble halls or against the backdrop of royal scarlet, but to those who lacked any position or status in the land. Meager shepherds, "watching their flocks by night." Working men, looking to support their families and sacrificing much to do so. It is to these men that the angelic announcement comes concerning a Boy born not to His parents, but to them.....to all of us. As the prophet Isaiah prophised seven hundred years earlier....."A Child is Born, A Son is given...." (Isaiah 9:6). It is the gift of God to a people that had, and still does, reject Him. A gift of grace.....a tangible Gift that displays God's great love for mankind. A Son given......to us.......we like the shepherds, low, the lowly among God's creation....yet created in His image....A Son given to us......to die in order for us to truly live.
Third, the great response of the shepherds. They searched out the Child, wrapped in swaddling cloths (a beautiful picture of the atoning death of Christ to come.......for Jesus never was far from the shadow of Calvary's Cross). And they came with great haste.......they ran to see the Child....gazing upon the face of THE SON of David. Sent by God to deliver them......but they may have not realized the extent to which this Child would deliver......not just Jews, but Gentiles (For in the descendent of Abraham all the families of the world would be blessed). Not just the religious, but more so the unrighteous. He came down from the place of Heaven, the place eternal, to the earth.......the greatest gift of Christmas.
His government will be ruled by justice and righteousness. A kingdom that will be ruled by love and grace. A government that will have no end, but stretches to all the ends of reality.....the visible and invisible. Caesar's reign has no comparison to the Price of Peace.
God's Son has been born to us.......a gift given from the Father Himself to mankind. What more evidence is needed to prove His great and perfect love for the imperfect?
And finally.....the response of the shepherds.......how will we respond this Christmas season? Will we run to Him with haste, the same haste children do Christmas morning towards a tree surrounded by presents? How will you respond? How will we all respond this Christmas to the Savior, the bringer of peace, the true Son of God?
In the words of Charles Dickens classic "A Christmas Carol" I would like to echo the words of a young, crippled boy who knew the grace of God and loved the LORD........"God bless us, everyone."
MERRY CHRIST MAS
No comments:
Post a Comment