Perspectives

Tell Me The Old Old Story: We have read about it. We sing songs about it. We proclaim it as loud as we can. And yet that same Old Story just never gets too old for us to retell. It’s the birth of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour who entered this world of ours like we did. The fact that there was no room in the inn was symbolic of what was to happen to Jesus in later years. He sought an entry to the over-crowded hearts of people like you and me, however, the only place where there was ever going to be room for Him was on a cross.

The story in the second chapter of Luke tells us that Mary, the soon to be mother of Jesus would give birth to her first child, a son. She would wrap Him in a blanket and lay Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. That same night some shepherds were in the fields outside the village guarding their flocks of sheep, when all of a sudden an angel appeared among them. Now the whole countryside shone bright with the glory of the Lord. They were filled with fear not knowing what was happening. This angel convinced them that they had nothing to be afraid of, because all he wanted to do is bring them the most joyful news that had ever been proclaimed.

The angel tells them: “The Saviour, yes the Messiah, the Lord of Glory has been born tonight in Bethlehem!” The shepherds work up enough nerve and ask the angel, “How will we recognize this Child, this Messiah?” Oh the angel knows their thoughts and remembers that they are human with limited understanding. Here is your clue says the angel, “You will find this Baby wrapped in a blanket lying in a manger!” At that moment the heavens came alive, as though the very joy bubble in heaven had burst upon earth. This angel that was talking to them was joined by a vast host of other angels, in fact the armies of heaven were there praising God.

Can you imagination what that must have been like, to hear the armies of heaven singing “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth for all those pleasing Him?” When they finished singing that huge army of angels returned to heaven. The shepherds must have been befuddled, probably looking at each other wondering and not really understanding what they had just experienced. Then one of them whose knees were still able to support his weight said, “Come on guys! Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s go see this with our own eyes; I’m not sure I believe everything that just happened here. We’ve seen angels, heard about the Lord of Glory, and Messiah; my folks at home will never believe me when I tell them what happened here this night.”

This will end this month’s discussion, or, perhaps it might just be the very beginning. Those shepherds didn’t have four wheelers; they probably didn’t even have donkeys. I kind of think they had only their feet to carry them, because the Bible indicates that they ran to the village and found their way to where Mary and Joseph had made the bed for the Baby Jesus. And to their amazement, they found the Christ Child, lying in the manger, just as the angel had told them.

Want the best Christmas gift ever? I can only share what I’ve received. This little Child was born that all of us could have our sins forgiven. All you have to do is make room in your heart for this gift from God: Jesus Christ the Holy Son of God.

Would you pray this prayer with me . . . “Lord Jesus, come into my heart. Forgive my sins. I want my life to change. My thoughts and my attitude need to change. I don’t have peace in my heart, I really want that peace, joy and happiness that I long for. Please let the Holy Spirit help me be the kind of Christian that will bring honour to Your Name.” Amen