A Present Christmas
The Presence of the Good News
When the Shepherds had encountered Jesus, they ran to tell everyone about what they had seen. And we are invited to do the same. When we encounter Jesus in our own lives, we are invited to tell the world. As we hear the stories of how Jesus has come, we are also invited to take a posture of awe and amazement.
Luke 2:8-18
The Presence of the Mess
There was no room for them. While generations were waiting for Christ, there was no room for him or his parents when he was about to arrive. It’s interesting that the way Jesus came into the world didn’t please everyone. There are many who are present in our lives, and maybe even who it is that we are becoming, who are unwanted. But we will not be unnoticed by the heavenly hosts. The story of Jesus didn’t come without complications, but God makes room for us too. And it may leave you uninvited to your own family reunion. But it is the incarnation you have been given.
The Presence of Revelation
“My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me—holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation.”
Luke 1:47-50
the presence of preparation
"Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John. He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born. He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” Luke 1:13
Gratitude
When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed.
One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan.
Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?” Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you whole.” Luke 17:14-19
