The Christmas Story

Who are you in the Christmas story? Where has this year brought you?

Are you Zechariah, who was perhaps a little cynical. His prayers unanswered for years. Four hundred years of God’s silence. And when an angel appeared, he doubted. Would God really move? Heart hurt too much by disappointment to believe.

Elizabeth, who had her heart’s desires fulfilled and was joyous?

Mary, who was willing in childlike faith? Or Mary, facing shame by misunderstanding others, ostracized for her faith and her role in God’s plan?

Cameroon nativity, Fr. Engelbert Mveng, Nativity, Holy Angels Church

Joseph, seeking the Lord, perhaps unsure of what was to come? Unsure of what to do? Then overwhelmingly tasked to care for the Son of God, perhaps feeling the weight of what God had called him to do and crying out in his inadequacy?

Are you like Simeon and Anna, waiting in faith, growing in faith, filled with expectation? Filled with wonder and worship?

Magi, questioning, searching, intrigued, but still discovering and still learning?

Shepherds, despised by men but found a gracious gift of abundant grace in the revelation of angels? Commissioned to be heralds?

The proverbial innkeeper or the people of Bethlehem, too busy too notice?

Gift.

Each person in a different place. Some of us are burdened, and there are others to lift burdens. Some are sorrowful, but are encouraged by other’s joy-filled testimonies. Some in joy are privileged to share in sorrow, and reminded to look to our God as sufficient and see his faithfulness. Some are waiting and given a new lift in their step as they see others rejoicing in receiving. We all gift each other with where we are at. No one, no spot, no role diminished.  God has placed each in order to build each other up (1 Cor. 12; Eph. 4; Gal. 6; 2 Cor. 1).

And to each person, our incarnate God meets us.

Zechariah—the child who appeared who reminds us that not one of God’s promises will fail; the ultimate sign of how far our faithful God will go to be true to his promises! The child that appeared in a miracle so we know nothing is impossible with God.

Elizabeth—the child in whom all promises are yes (2 Cor. 1:20-22), the channel of all blessings (Eph. 1:3). The child who walked on earth and knows intimately and personally the desires of human hearts.

Mary—whose faith was spurred on by God’s grace to the humble, God’s remembrance, seen most clearly in this child?

Joseph—knowing that in his inadequacy his Savior’s perfection would cover his own? Confident now that God was still speaking and working?

Nativity from Indonesia, Erland Sibuea, Nativity

Simeon and Anna, who know that this child will come back in power to honor those who wait? Given hope because they have tasted and seen just a glimpse of this great hope in this child?

Magi, who find an unparalleled wisdom in this child in whom are hidden all the riches of wisdom (Col. 2:3) in the wisdom of God which is foolishness to the world (1 Cor. 1)? The child whose face reflects the glory of God (2 Cor. 4:4-6)?

Shepherds, who are given an unparalleled honor by grace knowing that the Almighty King rubs shoulders with them, dwells in them, calls them his Holy of Holies? Who are given the honor of this King, equipped, empowered, filled with the Spirit to proclaim him?

Our Christ meets us in sorrows, disappointments, in the body of Christ, and individually. 

And this is what it is about--to meet him. To bow before him. For the story is not about us, but about him. We, the awe-struck secondary characters, caught up in a great story. May you once again step back and be amazed at this great story he has invited us in. 

For the story continues. 

He is still giving himself.

Gift. 

Nativity art from https://thejesusquestion.org/2011/12/25/nativity-paintings-from-around-the-world/