40 Days in the Word - Day 15

Day 15 – The Birth of Jesus

Luke 1 – 2

After centuries of anticipation, the Christ Child was born in Bethlehem, and God’s promise to redeem His people was in full speed.  Today’s reading covers the various events surrounding the announcement of His birth by Gabriel to Mary as well as the birth story itself, complete with images of shepherds watching over their flocks by night and angels singing “Glory to God in the Highest.”  But could the birth story of Christ be so familiar to us today that it has lost its sense of miracle and meaning?  Do we read over these famous verses quickly, not stopping to sense the magnitude that the Almighty God was coming to this earth as a human?  Theologians call this even the “incarnation,” the moment when God clothed Himself in carnal, human flesh.  And He came not just as a human—He came as a helpless baby, totally dependent upon a young mother and a carpenter father to provide for His every need.  What kind of God does that?  What kind of God is willing to leave the glorious throne of heaven to come to earth and live among His creation?

For many people, Christmas is their favorite time of year, and they enjoy the music, decorations, traditions, and celebrations associated with the season.  But are we minimizing the birth of Jesus Christ by celebrating it as a holiday season?  As you read the story today, did you hear familiar Christmas carols playing in the background?  Did you envision brightly decorated Christmas trees, with presents and red bows everywhere?  I suppose there not so much wrong with those images, but we must not let this amazing miracle of Christ’s birth become nothing more than a holiday ornament.  The Almighty God—Creator & Sustainer of all that there is—actually took on human flesh and was born as a baby.  That’s more than a feel good holiday season.  It is the redemptive work of a loving Creator who was willing to risk everything to demonstrate His love and compassion for us.

As you consider all of the parts of this story, what element amazes you the most?  Is it the mysterious and miraculous virgin birth?  Is it the story of the shepherds hearing the announcement?  Or is your heart drawn to how God blessed Elizabeth with a son (John the Baptist) as a forerunner to Jesus?  And what about the testimonies of Simeon and Anna—aren’t they great examples of people who believed in God?  There are so many Bible characters and aspects to this story, making it a treasure trove of lessons about faith.  But the main character is God Himself.  I love the part of the shepherds, the angels, Simeon, Elizabeth, Anna, and every other element too.  But what I like the best is how this story reveals the heart of God.  He knew we could not save ourselves, so He came to earth as a helpless Babe, willing to suffer rejection, scorn, and crucifixion for me.  So, this story is not about a holiday.  It’s about a “holy day.”