December 23, Born to us
Born for you this day in the City of David is a Savior who is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:11
Remembering what seems a lifetime ago, age 13 had come and now as a part of the church student group I was eligible to audition for the Christmas program offered each year by the student ministry. As the youngest in the room, I stepped in and gave it my best shot. Yet, later after the auditions were concluded, I was told by our director, “there is not a part for you, but maybe next year.” Dejected? Yes. But that soon turned to opportunity as I was assigned to read the Christmas story from Luke, Chapter 2 at the beginning of the program.
Although not able to recall every detail vividly, I remember well how I felt when given a part that seemed less valued than portraying the actual characters in the play. It was then that my father suggested, “Don’t just read the Christmas story, memorize it.” And, that I did. The energy I had saved up for the actual play was now poured into memorizing the Christmas story.
The night came, and much to the surprise of all (yet none more surprised than me), I stood up before the play began and quoted from memory the King James Version of Luke 2:1-20. I felt a bit like Linus in the Charlie Brown Christmas.
After the program, the lead pastor of our church approached me and said, “I want you to quote this in front of the entire church next Sunday.” Although the challenge of standing before people had always intimidated me, the next Sunday’s recitation became more than just a “recitation.” As I look back, God was developing something in me I would not notice for years, but something that would finally come to fruition: a deep love for His Word, and a deep love for imparting His Word in a personal way to others. And he used the powerfully miraculous narrative of our Savior’s Birth in such a personal way in my life. Now, fast forward to this very moment; I continue to thank God for that moment of disappointment that resulted in the memorization of the birth narrative of our Lord.
Since that time, I have quoted Luke 2 in many venues and for various occasions. Today as I quote the story of our Savior’s birth, my heart continues to resonate with the sacredness of the story and the sacredness of God’s Holy Word that impacted me the first night I stood before others.
You may have a different story of how the reading of Luke’s second chapter has impacted your life and your Christmas over the years. So today, take a moment to relive the first time this story truly engaged your heart. Take a moment to read through these sacred scriptures that illustrate how God reached down and fulfilled all His promises in the arrival of that tiny babe in Bethlehem, who is King and Lord over the universe.
To make certain that your familiarity with the story does not cause you to lose the sacredness of the story, consider the following heart steps to take as you reread Luke 2.
First, focus on verse 7: “she brought forth her first-born son.” This defines the story of the virgin birth, as God through the Holy Spirit caused the young virgin to be with child. Never before, and never again has there been such a miracle. Do not lose the sacredness.
Second, focus on verse 11: “for there is born to you this day in the city of David, a Savior who is Christ the Lord.” When one looks intently at each of these titles, one understands how each magnifies the fulfillment of all the prophecies of the Holy Scriptures. In Hebrews 1:3 we read, “After God spoke long ago in various portions and in various ways to our ancestors through the prophets, in these last days He has spoken to us in the Son.” (The Greek language of this verse places emphasis upon God’s final revelation.) Jesus fulfilled and summed up all things. Do not miss the sacredness of these titles of our Lord.
Third, focus on the angels’ announcement in verse 14: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among people with whom He is pleased.” This identifies God’s good pleasure with sending His Son to bring redemption to those who trust in Him. Hold tight to that sacred oratorio that filled the Heavens and earth with the glory of the arrival of our Savior.
So today, take a moment to notice that the miracle of the virgin birth (v. 7) brought Jesus to us as Savior, Christ, and Lord (v. 11) to redeem us according to God’s good pleasure (v. 14). Every verse in the Christmas story is significant, yet these three verses motivate us to hold up the story in its divine importance so that we never lose the sacredness. Hold dear to the sacredness of the story, and to the sacredness of this time of year.
This is the story of the Savior’s arrival into our lives. This is Jesus. This is Christmas.
Blessings.
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Today, mediate on Luke 2 – particularly verses 7, 11, and 14. Revisit the sacredness of the story.