There are all sorts of ways to approach the Christmas story. It is a story set in scripture with a cast of Characters that allows each to share its own perspective.
There is the story from Zechariah
And, a similar account from his wife Elizabeth
There is Mary and her story, and
Joseph has his perspective.
There is the story from the shepherds on the hillside,
And the story written by the Innkeeper.
There is the story from the Magi as they saw the star, and
Even a story from the vile King Herod.
There is the story from the aged Simeon and Anna,
And the story from Jesus' cousin, John - called the Baptist.
Stories are written from the perspective of the writer. They are sometimes written with first-hand knowledge, and sometimes they are written from afar, after interviewing and reading others. Luke says, as he begins his gospel, that he wrote...
1 Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us,
2 just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us,
3 it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, [Luke 1:1-3]
WHY?
There is the story from Zechariah
And, a similar account from his wife Elizabeth
There is Mary and her story, and
Joseph has his perspective.
There is the story from the shepherds on the hillside,
And the story written by the Innkeeper.
There is the story from the Magi as they saw the star, and
Even a story from the vile King Herod.
There is the story from the aged Simeon and Anna,
And the story from Jesus' cousin, John - called the Baptist.
Stories are written from the perspective of the writer. They are sometimes written with first-hand knowledge, and sometimes they are written from afar, after interviewing and reading others. Luke says, as he begins his gospel, that he wrote...
1 Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us,
2 just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us,
3 it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, [Luke 1:1-3]
The one person who has little to say about the birth of Jesus - is Jesus himself. He doesn't spend time reminding anyone of the miraculous nature of all that took place.
Some have argued (incorrectly I think) that the lack of reference on Jesus' part to his own birth means that the disciples, and others, created the stories on their own after his death. "Bah, Humbug".
Some have argued (incorrectly I think) that the lack of reference on Jesus' part to his own birth means that the disciples, and others, created the stories on their own after his death. "Bah, Humbug".
I was born in 1949 - a twin. My brother Ed is two hours older than me, and I've heard I was breech... but that is all I know. Most of us have scan awareness of the record of our birth...and most certainly, don't have any record of our conception! [That is what we would say - TMI - too much information].
Having said that, Jesus' birth is the celebration of Immanuel - God with Us. The notion that God would come to his creation and BECOME one of them is not an easy thing to wrap our heads around. Yet, that is exactly what the scripture says he did.
WHY?
Aaahhh...here's where we get to what Jesus said about the Christmas story. Centuries before Jesus was born in the flesh,
Psalm 40:6-8
6 In sacrifice
and offering you have not delighted, but you have given me
an open ear. Burnt offering and sin offering
you have not required.
7 Then I said, “Behold, I have come; in the scroll of the book it is written of me:
8 I delight to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart.”
7 Then I said, “Behold, I have come; in the scroll of the book it is written of me:
8 I delight to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart.”
The Psalmist is writing, but the words are fulfilled in Jesus. How do we know this? The writer of Hebrews, writing some one thousand years later, makes it clear:
Hebrews 10:4-10
4 For it is
impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.
5 Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said, “Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired, but a body have you prepared for me;
6 in burnt offerings and sin offerings you have taken no pleasure.
7 Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come to do your will, O God, as it is written of me in the scroll of the book.’”
8 When he said above, “You have neither desired nor taken pleasure in sacrifices and offerings and burnt offerings and sin offerings” (these are offered according to the law),
9 then he added, “Behold, I have come to do your will.” He does away with the first in order to establish the second.
10 And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
5 Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said, “Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired, but a body have you prepared for me;
6 in burnt offerings and sin offerings you have taken no pleasure.
7 Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come to do your will, O God, as it is written of me in the scroll of the book.’”
8 When he said above, “You have neither desired nor taken pleasure in sacrifices and offerings and burnt offerings and sin offerings” (these are offered according to the law),
9 then he added, “Behold, I have come to do your will.” He does away with the first in order to establish the second.
10 And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
Here is the Advent story from Jesus' perspective. The law, the sacrifices... Performing your way to God, trying to be acceptable by being good, working your way to heaven...All are destined to fail. Yet in Jesus, the message is clear.
"Here's why I came."
"To come to do God's will".
"To come to be the eternal sacrifice."
"To come so that all who come to God through Jesus might be sanctified through His work...once and for all."
The Christmas story from Heaven's perspective is fulfilled through all of the characters above, but it's purpose is proclaimed a thousand years before. God's plan was long in coming, but clear in purpose.
And now, we get to stand in the "ONCE AND FOR ALL" work of Christ.
Peace
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