You’ve heard the Christmas story—probably multiple times.
You may even know interesting background information such as:
- The number of miles Mary and Joseph traveled from Nazareth to Bethlehem—about seventy—and the number of days on the road—four to seven
- Angels not necessarily singing to the shepherds but most likely speaking their message [1]
- The gifts of the Magi holding symbolic meaning: gold for Christ’s royalty, myrrh (used in embalming) for his humanity, and incense for his divinity
But perhaps a new insight or two about the familiar story will add a bit of icing to your Christmas joy!
For example, consider:
A Disadvantaged Upbringing
Most of us would choose a sophisticated city like Jerusalem (in the homes of priests perhaps) for the upbringing of the mother and earthly father of the Christ Child.
Instead, God chose Nazareth–a small, nondescript town that nobody cared about. That’s where Mary and Joseph, the parents for the Son of God, were likely born and raised.
We mustn’t think anyone too weak, untrained, or undistinguished to fulfill God’s plans.
An Unknowing Participant
The Roman emperor Caesar Augustus—not a believer in God—unknowingly carried out holy purpose [2]. Our Lord can and does use the most unlikely people; we mustn’t underestimate his influence and power.
An Unlikely Invitation
by Alexander Laureus, 1815
Neither the powers of Rome nor the priests of the Jewish people received an invitation to the birthplace of the King of kings. Instead, angels delivered the news of the Messiah’s birth to scruffy shepherds and told them where Christ could be found.
Often it is the lowly who are the beneficiaries of God’s special favors and blessings—more so than the rich or famous [3].
An Unassuming Humility
Our Savior God is a humble God. Even though he’s the sovereign power of the universe, Christ humbled himself to be born a helpless baby, grow into manhood, and suffer death in the place of all sinners who put their faith in him [4].
How dare I entertain even the smallest of prideful thoughts?
An Unexpected Circumstance
Our God loves surprises! Imagine the shepherds crying out in shock as an angel suddenly appears to them, only to be even more surprised by the angel’s message!
No doubt you’ve been surprised by God too, as he worked out impossible circumstances, miraculously supplied a dire need, or blessed beyond imagination. God’s surprises prove his creative capability to perform wonders that cannot be fathomed, and miracles that cannot be counted!
An Unlikely Juxtaposition
The shepherds visited the True Shepherd; the kings from the East visited the King of the universe. And that Shepherd-King (such a mind-boggling juxtaposition of humility and majesty!) now lives within us.
An Uncommon Possibility
When angels announced Christ’s birth to the shepherds, “the glory of the Lord shone around them [5].”
I wonder, might that celestial light have been rainbow-infused? Consider Revelation 4:3 where the Apostle John tries to describe the glory around God’s throne.
He wrote, “A rainbow that shone like an emerald encircled the throne.” Perhaps those same, glorious rainbow hues swirled in the light above the hills of Bethlehem that night!
This is the only public-domain image that hints toward what I’m imagining!
Some people enjoy adding such facts and conjectures to their bank of knowledge.
Better yet is to let such information provide the icing on our Christmas joy—the icing of delicious astonishment and sweet encouragement that leads to worship.
* * * * * * * * * *
I praise you Lord God, that your Word is living and active. No matter how often we read a passage or hear a scripture story, you can breathe fresh life into its meaning and impact.
The Christmas narrative is no exception. As we read and hear again the grand story of Jesus’ birth, may our hearts be open to your inspiration, may we overflow with renewed wonder, and in response, offer you our heartfelt worship.
Hebrews 4:12a; Proverbs 4:20-22;
Psalm 119:18; Psalm 40:5; Psalm 72:18-19
[1] Luke 2:13-14
[2] Luke 2:1-4
[4] Colossians 1:17; Philippians 2:5-8
[5] Luke 2:9
Art & photo credits: http://www.freebibleimages.org; http://www.pickpik.com; http://www.flickr.com; http://www.rawpixel.com; http://www.canva.com; http://www.flickr.com; http://www.canva.com.
From the Inside Out 