Amelia Church of Christ - Christian Church in Amelia, OH near Cincinnati in Clermont County

Luke 2:33-40

Reflections: Simeon’s prophecy revealed just how controversial Jesus was going to be when he said, “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against…”  This cuddly little baby was going to turn the world upside.  And many people would hate him for it.

As Mark Driscoll points out, too often we see Jesus as a peace-loving Galilean peasant hippie in a dress.  He just existed to drink lattes and bring people together in love and understanding.

Um…no.

That kind of guy would have never incited an angry mob.  Drinking decaf and wearing love beads doesn’t get many people crucified.

Jesus was a source of never-ending controversy during his earthly life.  And he still is today. 

We don’t see that often during the Christmas season.  There is little controversy about a baby in a manger.  Maybe that’s why you hear songs about Jesus in shopping malls during the Christmas season.  It’s the one time of year when it is still somewhat politically correct to talk about Jesus.  Christmas celebrates his birth, and babies are snuggly and lovable, not controversial.

But Jesus didn’t stay in the manger.  He grew up.  And in his adult life, Jesus offended religious people.  He often went against the social protocol of his day.  When he pushed them too far, he was punished with a scandalous death on the cross. 

Think about the dichotomy of Jesus’ life.  Worshipers came to him to celebrate his birth.  But when he died on the cross, his own disciples abandoned him.  Jesus became so dangerous…so offensive…that his own followers left him when he needed them the most.

Don’t stop at the manger this Christmas.  See Christ in all his dangerous controversy.  Worship the one who has been hated, beaten, spat upon, and crucified. 

Remember…he was despised, rejected, and murdered for you.

Luke 2:21-32

Reflections: Sometimes you just have to wait on the Lord.  God doesn’t operate on our timetable.  He does what pleases him in his time.

Simeon was a righteous, old man who was “waiting” (v. 25).  He had been waiting for years to see the Christ.  It took a long time, but God delivered on the promise he made to Simeon.

Waiting for the Lord is part of being a disciple of Christ.  Since God’s time is usually slower than yours, there are instances where the only thing you can do is wait. 

Waiting for the Lord is a Scriptural principle.  In Psalm 38, David wrote, “I wait for you, O LORD; you will answer, O Lord my God.” (Psalm 38:15, NIV)

David expressed the same thing we see in the life of Simeon.  When we pray about something, we will often have to wait to see the result.  If it feels like you’re in a holding pattern, it may be that God hasn’t said "no" to your prayers.  It’s very possible that his answer is, “Wait.”

Deep, lasting, life-changing faith can be developed by waiting on the Lord.

Luke 2:15-20

Reflections: As soon as the angels left the shepherds, they said, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” 

They didn’t say, “Let’s go to the mall.”  Or, “Let’s go see that new Four Christmases movie.”  They said, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see the Christ child.”

The phrase “let’s go” will be heard in many households during this time of year.  There is never a shortage of places to go.  There is shopping to do, family to visit, parties to attend, etc., etc., etc.

But there is no journey more significant than this.  No trip matters as much as the one we take to Bethlehem.  That is where we’ll find peace, joy, awe, and wonder.

Let’s go to Bethlehem.

Luke 2:8-14

Reflections: Talk about an inauspicious start.  Jesus was born, not in a palace, but in a stable or possibly in a cave.  Wherever it was, he had an animal’s feeding trough for a bed.  No warm crib.  Just hard, rough wood, probably laced with straw.

The angel told the shepherds, “This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”  What kind of a sign is that?  That is a sign that points toward poverty, not majesty.  It is a sign of despondence, not of one who was promised to be the hope of the world.

Jesus was never what people expected him to be.  The Jewish people were looking for a king to overthrow the hated Roman government.  What they got was a Messiah in the form of a baby in a manger. 

They were looking for someone to lead a military coup and restore Israel to greatness.  What they got was a Savior who allowed himself to be crucified.

As Gordon MacDonald wrote, “They all were looking for a king to slay their foes and lift them high; Thou cam’st a little baby thing, that made a woman cry.”

Jesus doesn’t conform to what we think he should be.  He is who he is.  We are commanded to conform to him, not the other way around.

Are there ways that you are trying to get Jesus to conform to your needs and desires?  He wouldn’t do it 2,000 years ago, and he won’t do it today.

Pray for him to change you so that you can become more like him.

Luke 2:1-7

Reflections: The God of the Universe enters our world as a helpless baby.  The omnipotent Lord of Hosts was now a crying, suckling infant who was completely dependent on someone else.

Try to wrap your mind around the humility displayed in this unprecedented move of God.  Imagine the love required to make the transition from Almighty God to vulnerable child. 

 And understand that he did it all for you.

Luke 1:39-45

Reflection: Every pregnant woman has felt a baby kick.  But how many have felt a baby leap?  (Actually, a lot of mothers would probably claim that their babies did gymnastics in the womb, but this story from the Bible is different.)  John the Baptist, even as a baby in the womb, leapt for joy when he knew he was in the presence of Jesus, who was also in utero.

Joy is a common theme in the Christmas season.  We talk about joy.  We sing about it.  But how many of us actually experience it?  Maybe joy eludes us because we seek it in the wrong places. 

What changes can you make to your Christmas celebration to bring the joy of the season back into your family?

Luke 1:26-38

Reflections: In this passage, Mary only asked one question.  If an angel appeared to you and announced that you were going to have a baby, and you knew that you were a virgin…wouldn’t you ask more than one question?  Wouldn’t you want to know a few more details?  Don’t you think you might raise an objection or two?

Mary’s faith is among the strongest of any person we meet in Scripture.  She only asked Gabriel one question.  After that, she simply replied, “I am the Lord’s servant.  May it be to me as you have said.”

Is there something going on in your life that you need to stop questioning?  Instead of questions, is it time for you to approach it with acceptance?  That doesn’t mean you have to like your situation.  Acceptance doesn’t necessarily mean happiness.

Mary couldn’t have been altogether thrilled about the prospect of being an unwed mother in her culture.  But she accepted the will of God, regardless of her personal feelings. 

How can you follow her lead?

Luke 1:5-17

Reflections: John’s mission was to prepare the way for Jesus and to bring people back to the Lord (verses 16-17).  God has given us a similar mission.  Sometimes our job is simply to prepare the way for Christ in someone’s life.  Open the door.  Watch for opportunities to impact their life.  Prepare the way for Christ.

In other situations, our mission is more aggressive.  Bring them back to the Lord.  Go all out to bring them to Christ.

How can you tell the difference?  Who are some of the people in your life with whom you can prepare for the way for Jesus?  Is there someone who is ready to come to Christ now?  How can you bring them to the Lord?

Matthew 1:18-25

Reflections: In first century Jewish culture, unwed pregnancy carried a stigma that we can’t even imagine in our world today.  People could be executed for have sexual relations out of wedlock.  The Bible is very clear that Mary’s pregnancy came via the Holy Spirit, but imagine the risk that Joseph and Mary faced in their culture.  No one was going to believe that Mary was still a virgin after her pregnancy became known.

The Holy Spirit doesn’t lead people to play it safe.  When we follow his lead, it involves risk.  It involves uncomfortable and uncertain situations.  How has the Holy Spirit led you through these times?  What risk is he asking you to take in your life now?

Galatians 4:4-7

Reflections: Verse 4 says that Jesus arrived on earth “when the time had fully come.”  Kenneth Boles points out several facts from history that led up to the birth of Christ. 

The Romans had made this moment uniquely ready by building a network of roads and establishing a stable government.  Never before had travel been so easy and safe; not again for another 1,500 years would it be so.

The Greeks made their contribution through a universal language.  It was an age of opportunity in communication.

The Jews had made this moment in time ripe for the birth of the church by establishing synagogues throughout the known world.  People like the Apostle Paul would use these synagogues to preach the gospel.

Perhaps this was all coincidence, but more likely it was the sovereign hand of God preparing the world so that Jesus would arrive “when the time had fully come.”

Praise God for his sovereign and unrivaled power!