Scripture Readings Leading to
Sunday December 24, 2006
Luke 2:1-20 The Birth of Jesus
Acts 14 Paul in Lystra
The Birth of Jesus, big deal. Matthew offers only seven verses to the birth of the Christ child. He does however give another chapter to the deception needed to flee and thus save the child from the wrath of King Herod. Mark, the first of the gospels written, does not mention the birth of Christ at all. John goes off on a whole separate track of imagery and metaphor sufficing for any sort of a birth narrative.
In contrast, Luke contends he is writing an “orderly account” “after investigating everything from the very beginning.” Luke gives 20 verses to the birth of the child. Twenty verses that offer the story the family of believers have come to cherish and look forward to hearing every year. We never tire of the story. It never ceases to amaze us. We are always ready to once again hear how Mary and Joseph traveled into the Judean hill country to the small community of Bethlehem. Once there, they found no room available for them. Mary gave birth to the child in a crowded cow barn with the awesome glory of God surrounding them. Even the poor shepherds out watching the sheep on the surrounding hillsides were informed of this great news by the angels from heaven who could not keep silent.
Luke makes a place for the story that had no place, so that our hearts might find a place for the child. Perhaps as Kim Brouse said in his sermon at Wednesday’s WOW, “God wanted our hearts to be the place for the Christ child to be born on Christmas.” Yes, I think so.
So as the days slip closer to that day, may we all pause to acknowledge Emmanuel; God with Us. May each of us make room, in our own way, in our own hearts make room for Jesus. The child sent from God changed the world 2000 years ago and is still changing ours today. Make a place, invite the whole family and lets move just a little closer to home.
Blessings, Dave Weesner
Sunday Worship
Scripture: Luke 2:1-20
Sermon Title: “Make a Place”
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