Seeing the Christmas Story through New Eyes…
One of my roommates is a relatively new believer, but a new believer that God has given the ability to learn fast…she constantly challenges me. Anyways, being a new believer, she had never read the Christmas story…ever…I got so excited, because I knew it was going to mean so much for her, and also me as we read through it together…
I asked her what she knew of it, and she was honest, she thought a lot of what she knew might was probably from commercialism, and she was really excited to read the story, both in Luke and Matthew…it was exciting for me as well. Reading it gave me a new appreciation for Jesus and gave me so much hope for several other friends of ours who are not yet believers…
Things that I was reminded of while reading:
- How many dreams and visits by angels
- The obedience of everyone involved: Mary, Joseph, Magi, Shephards…
- Simeon: Was told he wouldn’t die before seeing the Messiah! HOW COOL?? And his words give me chills: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.” Luke 2:34-35
- Anna, the prophetess: The fact she worshiped day and night, never leaving the temple. “Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.” Luke 2:38 Ah! Chills!
- How everyone came and worshiped Jesus…while He was still an infant or small child
- How cool it is that there was a STAR that the Magi could follow…and it was right above where Jesus was! COOL! Matthew 2:9
- How cool it was that the Magi had a dream and went a different way back home
- How cool it is a “host of angels” appeared to the shephards in the field worshiping the Lord; proclaiming the Messiah had come! Luke 2:8-20 (Chills again)
- How Herod’s jealosy and fear of the future causes him to murder all the 2 and under boys in Bethlemham and the surrounding areas…it makes me so sad and almost sick thinking about it.. “A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more.” Luke 2:18 (from Jeremiah)
- How there are sooo many prophesies that seemed impossible to all be true…but were..the fact He was born in Bethleham, went to Egypt fulfilling a Micah prophecy, went to Nazereth fulfilling a Jeremiah prophesy, and soooo many more. SO COOL. All in God’s perfect plan and providence…
And sooo much more…
I also was reminded of what the Israelites had gone through…waiting, and waiting, and waiting for a Messiah in a recent Matt Chandler sermon…it still gives me chills thinking about how long they waited, and as Matt put it “and then a baby cried” …AH! chills…even though it wouldn’t exactly change until he died and rose 30ish years later…it still meant their waiting was over…HE WAS THERE… and He changed everything…
you should listen yourself…entitled “The Angst of Waiting“
Have a Merry Christmas and I hope this time is filled with a renewed awe of Christ and all He’s done…and He’s not done yet!!!!
