Luke 2:1-20
The Birth of Jesus
2 In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 All went to their own towns to be registered. 4 Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. 5 He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
The Shepherds and the Angels
8 In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: 11 to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace among those whom he favors!”
15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. 17 When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
What does the passage say?
The story of Jesus’ birth is well known to every Christian. I would like to focus on the conversion of an individual soul.
V. 1-7 Joseph and Mary are on their way to Bethlehem. There was a census conducted for the first time, in the Roman Empire. By Joseph and Mary half-forced to return to Bethlehem, God fulfills the prophecy or Jesus’ birth. “But you, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah, who are one of the little clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to rule in Israel, whose origin is from of old, from ancient days” (Micah 5:2 NRSV).
V. 8-15 Then the angels appears to the shepherds in the field. They were living in the field. Then an angel appeared to them to share the message of the good news. When the glory of the Lord shone around them, it says they were terrified.
V. 16-20 As soon as they encountered the glory of God, they set off to Bethlehem. They found Mary and baby Jesus lying in the manger, and went to spread the word of the good news.
What does the passage say to you and me?
Omnipotence God, meaning God is all-powerful, all-mighty, is the background of how God fulfills God’s promise to humankind.
First, God orchestrates the census for Joseph and Mary to be back at Bethlehem. Second, God sends God’s angels to share the good news for all people. The shepherds encounter the glory of God, which magnifies their paltry nature. The shepherds are terrified but in a good way. Once they experience God, they are led to share the good news. It was what they did.
In the same way, when a person encounters God, we also have to remember that there is God’s divine hand, which continued to reach out to us. It is a balance between God’s Prevenient Grace and Justifying grace.
It is the glory of God that reveals our sin and God’s grace. And it is that powerful love that leads us to share the good news with the world.
The mystery of God’s love, through sending God’s only son to the world, and offering us salvation is all under God’s attribute of being Omnipotence.
Are we grateful for this love? Are we sharing this good news so God’s Omnipotence could be activated in another person’s life?
Let’s Pray
Lord, thank you for sending your Son Jesus Christ for us. Thank you that we encountered your grace. Help us to be a vessel, like Jesus, to share this message with the world. In Christ, we pray, AMEN
What are your thoughts?
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