The Birth of Jesus
Open Your Bible
Luke 2:1-52, Isaiah 9:2-7, Galatians 4:4-5
BY Andrea Lucado
What is a book you’ve read again and again? Or perhaps a movie you’ve seen more times than you can count? Or a song you’ve had on repeat for years? Though I’ve read the words of my favorite book or watched the same scene of my favorite movie a dozen times, I often react to it differently depending on the day I’ve had or the season of life I’m in. I may feel a lot of emotion, or I may feel inspired. Other times, I may simply want to listen, watch, and savor the story. Let the words and notes sink in.
Something I love about Luke’s narrative of Christ’s birth is the array of responses from those who witnessed the Messiah, either at His birth or soon after. From awe to silence to praising God, I think we can learn as much about the significance of the incarnation from these responses as we can from the details of the birth itself.
Mary’s response to her son’s birth is quiet and contemplative. While the shepherds, after meeting Jesus, ran off and told everyone about what they had seen, Scripture says, “Mary was treasuring up all the things in her heart and meditating on them” (Luke 2:19). She savored the moment, holding it near to her, letting it sink into her heart and mind.
Simeon, the righteous servant of the Lord, responded to meeting the Messiah by praising God and declaring the mighty works Jesus would do. As he tells Mary, “Indeed, this child is destined to cause the fall and rise of many in Israel” (v.34).
Then there is Anna, the prophetess. Her response to the Messiah’s arrival was gratitude and, like the shepherds’, to spread the good news: “At that very moment, she came up and began to thank God and to speak about Him to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem” (v.38).
Jesus’s birth evoked silent awe, praise, gratitude, and the need to tell everyone about it.
Most likely, the story of Jesus’s birth is not new for you. You’ve probably read it or heard it told again and again. But I wonder, what is it evoking in you today? Awe, joy, gratitude, praise? Do you want to shout about it from the rooftops like Anna, or do you want to be still and treasure it in your heart, as Mary did? Though our responses will vary, we are united by the reason behind the coming of the Messiah.
“God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law,
so that we might receive adoption as sons” (Galatians 4:4–5).
We are redeemed. We are adopted. We are a part of God’s family. No matter what kind of day you are having or what sort of season you are in—quiet and contemplative or loud and joyful—let the story of Christ’s birth remind you of these truths today.
107 thoughts on "The Birth of Jesus"
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(V49) “And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?”
I’m not sure what it is about this verse but it brings me to tears. Mary and Joseph were in a panic looking for their young son, which as parents I can understand where they’re coming from. But they also forgot who God told him their son was. For me this was a subtle reminder from Jesus that when I’m in a panic and searching for God’s voice/ guidance, I can always find him in his father’s house. Additionally it reminded me that even Mary and Joseph forgot who they were told their son was too but it makes them all the more human that even they worried.
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This is a classic story that I have heard since I was a child, but I read it from a different perspective today. As a new believer, I can relate and feel the anticipation of the coming promised Son who would set the world free. What a beautiful, living story that has instilled hope for generations after.
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Jesus is the “promised one” and so many promises came to life in this chapter. So many people waiting for the coming baby — it was amazing to read and to imagine the joy and awe that the people would’ve been experiencing.
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Mary lives in the moment and treasures it. I want to slow down and listen to God and live and savour every moment of life in him. I think today the story of Jesus’s birth is evoking gratitude.
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As I sit here, as a mother, of someone who is struggling so hard, I couldn’t help but relate to Mary. It doesn’t matter how many times we go through things and try to take that wisdom into parenthood at some point we all struggle to understand our children. What a reminder today that even Mary felt this.
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The struggle is real! I have four kids.. each unique.. each and individual. I get frustrated trying to know how to approach each and give each what they need but I’m reminded that God gave them what they need.. himself.. and I just need to situate them to receive it.
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After joining a new church this fall, I feel a sense of “home” when I attend just like Jesus felt he was in his Father’s home. So grateful and blessed to have found my home church!
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I respond to this with joy rejoicing in the marvellous gift that is Christ’s birth
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Family! Part of God’s family! It’s so hard to envisage what that will actually look like when my own is so broken. Emotionally abusive father and sisters who are much like him, leaves my mum and I feeling like we are the only ones left with no one else we can trust. My greatest fear is my own children growing up and repeating history! Somedays I cling to the promise of God’s family and the dream of what that looks like, others I’m too scared to hope because of what family actually looks like in reality
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