It All Fits Together

As we near the end of our devotional series, we look back over the entire story of the birth of Christ. These verses provide a summary for what we have read and provide a foreshadowing of what is to come.

We have seen God break through the silence of centuries to reveal to common people his way of salvation. Angels have lit up the sky, declaring glory to God, and the King of the universe was born in a stable to two faithful and obedient servants. We have seen how the arrival of Jesus was not only foretold by the angels, but also confirmed by Simeon and Anna, who recognized in Jesus His Kingship as well as His ministry of redemption. We have also seen the ways in which Mary has taken all this in and treasured it in her heart.

In these verses, Jesus has returned to Nazareth, and His life is about to begin. Luke will pick up the story in about 12 years about a trip to Jerusalem (Luke 2:41-51), but for now we see Jesus as a young child, growing up under the parentage of Joseph and Mary, growing strong, being filled with wisdom, and seeing the grace of God upon him.

Of course, we know what is to come. Jesus will eventually begin his public ministry in His early 30s (Luke 4). Just three short years later, He’ll be arrested, falsely tried, and convicted, and executed on a cross. Those would followed Him will scatter, and all hope will seem lost (Luke 22:47-23:56).

But hope never died, because the tomb did not remain sealed. Three days in the grave was all it took, and Jesus rose again. The author of creation becomes the first fruits of the new creation. This is the story to come, but for now we see Jesus in Nazareth, learning from Joseph and Mary, awaiting what is to come.

It is important though that we keep the entire story in mind. The Gospel writers refused to focus on one aspect of the story compared to another. Jesus’s birth is vital to understanding the ministry of Jesus as well as His sacrifice and resurrection. It all fits together.

As we prepare our hearts for Christmas Day, let us pause to be still and to breathe, asking God to help us be present for this moment and to remember deeply the Gospel story. May we not only remember it, but also embody it in everything we do, praising God through our thoughts, our words, and our actions. May the reality of Christ be demonstrated every day and every way to everyone we meet.

Prayer

Father, thank You for the gift of Jesus. Thank You for how in Your timing You saw fit to break through history and enter into our reality through the birth of Your Son. Thank You for His life, ministry, and sacrifice on our behalf. We thank You that on the third day He rose again and that He is sitting at Your right hand in glory. We thank You that through His death and resurrection, we can receive new life and be assured of the life to come.

Please help me to proclaim this reality in my lives to everyone I meet. May those with whom I interact see in me peace, joy, hope, and love. Work in my heart in such a way that I reflect the reality of Your Son more and more every day. Thank You for the gift of being a witness for Jesus, and help me to never take that gift for granted.

Amen.