From Luke 2: 1 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. 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, Anchorthe 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, Anchorpraising 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. 17When 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.
Yesterday's Peanuts strip in our Sunday newspaper featured Linus quoting part of the Luke story. Our local paper prints Peanuts first. It is the only Sunday comic I read. I don't know why. When I was younger I would read them all even Prince Valiant which I did not really understand and I certainly did not remember from one Sunday to the next what he was up to, nor did I care. I've also known people, myself included, that will tear out a particular strip and post it on a wall to say, "I identify with this funny!" (Remember that was what they were called by many? "See ya in the funny papers!") This particular strip is one we should post in our hearts. I've shared with you how when CBS asked Charles Shultz for a Christmas special he insisted on using actual scripture because he said the Bible is not just for the church but for everybody. I should mention that B.C. and its related strip, whose name escapes me often uses Biblical messages in its strip.
The Lenten Journey ends with a tale of a journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem by a young couple, the woman heavy in her pregnancy, about to deliver at any time. This was to fulfill the governmental obligation to participate in a census ordered by the Emperor. Temporary workers were not hired to go from house to house; people were ordered to return to the city of their birth to register. And this it was believed, was to get a better idea of the taxes the Roman government could levy on its citizens.
Luke's Gospel is known as the universal gospel because he sought to make the birth, life, message, death, and resurrection of Jesus for all people, not just the Jews. He uses images and stories that show the universal appeal of Jesus. While Matthew has wise men or kings from the East, which appealed to the royal nature of the people of Israel, shepherds were for the common person of the day. Almost everyone had been or had a relative who was, a shepherd. As Mary is giving birth to Jesus, it is the shepherds who are told by an angel of the Lord that something special had happened in Bethlehem. "Do not be afraid; for see-- I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord." And then describes the way they would know that this baby born is indeed the long awaited Messiah of the Lord. To confirm those good news, an angelic choir appears with the song of praise, "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom He favors!" The shepherds rush to find Mary and Joseph and the baby Jesus, and tell them how they came to know about His birth and all who heard that news were amazed, but Mary "treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart." The shepherds went back to work, but as changed men, making known to all that God had acted on their behalf.
What about you? What has this awesome birth done for your soul and spirit about your relationship with God? Whom have you told the amazing news that God has acted on their behalf? More importantly, in your work, in your home, in your personal life, what evidence does your life give about the love that God showed to us on that night? Forget about last minute gifts as being the stress-causers they are; find the calm and peace that is the knowledge that God acted on your behalf. God showed us a better way to live!
PRAYER: Awesome and loving God, for this birth we give You thanks. You have acted in a way that blessed all and we want to be a part of that blessings. Help me to recognize the true meaning of this first birth and help me to live in such a way that prepares all for Jesus' return to earth. This I pray in the name of He born for me, Jesus my Lord, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
