By Brother Charlie
Upon reflecting the events surrounding the nativity of Jesus in the gospel of Luke, one has to be impressed with the choices that God made of the people and places that would resonate throughout history. We still sing to this day about a manger, Bethlehem, shepherds and a young maiden with child.
Insignificant Instruments …. The People
The story begins with an older woman named Elisabeth, advanced in years and barren, beyond her natural capacity to bear children. Her husband, an ordinary priest is chosen to serve by the casting of a lot to burn incense in the temple. He was one among many thousands of priests in the land, perhaps the least of them and soon to be retired. Yet it was this family that God in His foreknowledge chose to have birthed John the Baptist; the forerunner of Jesus. Amazingly God turned the barren into fruitful and the simple servant into a significant one, who at the right time after many years, was catapulted to serve in the Holy Place to burn incense before the Lord. Faithful service does not go unnoticed before God. He knows the perfect time to elevate you into the proper position.
What A Vision!
An angel appears to Mary, a young virgin espoused to a God-fearing yet simple carpenter named Joseph. This young woman with no theological training but with certainty knew her Lord and expressed His Sovereignty in worship saying, “For He hath regarded the low estate of His handmaiden; for behold all generations from henceforth shall call me blessed”. God is no respecter of persons. He chooses those who are willing against all human comprehension to believe His word without hesitation, to obey and follow Him.
Shepherds, Of All People!
Shepherds watched in the night. Yet the angels appeared to them only announcing the birth of the Messiah. Their trade may have been despised by many, yet these unlearned men displayed a relationship with their Creator. They were astonished that “the Lord hath made known unto us” of all people. Later we are told that they returned glorifying and praising God for all that they had seen and heard. You may have a mundane job and routinely go to the same place of work but a heavenly sense of expectation can make you realize that God takes notice of you.
The Places
The scene takes us to Bethlehem, the city of David the shepherd king, the smallest of cities as Micah prophesies “though thou be little among the thousands of Judah yet out of thee shall come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel, whose goings forth have been from old, from everlasting”. Who would have planned that a Saviour would be born without fanfare in the most unpopular of cities? Yet the wisdom from above is greater than man can comprehend.
When Jesus was born He was wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in manger because there was no room at the inn. Why a manger? If Jesus is the Lamb of God what other place would you expect to find a new born lamb except in a manger?
The Key … Humility
As the Christmas music plays in the background and the lights blink all over the city, as the mood becomes festive and the malls are filled with confusion, you may be in a place where you feel unnoticed and unappreciated. Just remember it doesn’t take much on God’s part to transform your low estate into an exalted one. One encounter with God will alter your life and turn it from an ordinary one into an extraordinary destiny.
Remember Jesus came to this world as a baby in all humility leaving His glorious state to make His dwelling with mankind in an earthen vessel. Philippians tells us He made Himself of no reputation but took upon Himself the form of a servant and was made in the likeness of men.
Paul tells us “let this mind be in you which was also in Christ” in other words putting on the mind of Christ is to serve Him in all humility. Then, Paul tells us that God has highly exalted Him. God rewards faithful service and His eyes are on those who seek His glory with no expectation of reward except for the recompense that waits for them in heaven.
Will you be celebrating your Saviour Jesus this season?
