Jesus’ birth in a stable overturns our expectations once again, confirming that God works in marvelous ways.
Here’s a transcript:
It’s Christmas Eve, so I’m thinking about the second chapter of Luke’s Gospel (Luke 2:1-14). Actually, I’m thinking about one verse:
“She gave birth to her first-born son, and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” (Luke 2:7)
Christianity is an odd and challenging faith. We believe that the most significant person to have ever lived upon the planet was born in a is stable. We believe that he was not born in the place where his parents lived, but in the place that they had had to go at the whims of a somewhat arbitrary government. We believe that he was not wrapped in fine cloth but in whatever scraps of cloth they could find. How could a person in such circumstances become the Anointed One, the Messiah, the Christ?
The answer, of course, is because this is how God works.
God works in the unexpected ways. God works in the ways that overturn our expectations. God works in the ways that are based upon love and growth and grace.
And those are not the ways of power or privilege, are they?
On this Christmas, remember that the Christ child teaches us that any child can become a follower of Christ. Any child can emulate the Savior. And also any adult, whatever kind of life they’ve lived up to that point, whether it’s been one of poverty or one of privilege, any human being can also become one who imitates Christ.
Let that be said of us, that we followed the way of the Savior: Love, and growth. and grace.
Merry Christmas to you one and all.
That’s what I’m thinking. I’m curious to hear what you’re thinking. Leave me your thoughts in the comment section below. I’d love to hear from you.
The next episode of What I’m Thinking will be posted on Tuesday, January 7, 2025.
