In these nine meditations, we will focus on the wonder of Christmas as revealed in Luke 2:1-20.
Passage to Ponder: Luke 2:1-20
“While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” -Luke 2:6-7 (NASB)
Merry Christmas! I pray that you wakened to this glorious day filled with joy, hope, and peace—that your heart is merry in the love of Jesus. I have often found deep meaning in the Scriptures by meditating on some of the phrases surrounding the text’s main idea. Obviously, the chief point of Luke 2:6-7 is that Jesus was born. Yet, let’s not miss the phrase “the days were completed.” Take a moment and think about the full meaning of those few words. I’ll wait while you wonder…
Ready to continue? When I give attention to “the days were completed,” my mind starts doing some word associations…destiny, fulfillment, accomplished, achieved, and realized are the words that pop into my head. The birth of Jesus was not a happy accident in a series of random events. Mary wasn’t the only one who was giving birth that night in Bethlehem. From eternity past, all of history was pregnant with the promise of a Savior. The long-awaited moment had finally arrived. Eternity future would count the arrival of Immanuel, God with Us, as the most important event in the span of perpetuity. Long before the creation of the first atom and the first Adam, God had been planning this moment. The word “completed” is the Greek word pletho which is often translated as “fulfilled” elsewhere in the New Testament. Jesus is the “fulfillment” of the promised Messiah.
Earlier, the angel told Joseph to take Mary as his wife in Matthew 1:21, “She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” All our hopes for being saved from our sinful nature are completed, fullfilled in Jesus. Humanity no longer was waiting for that distant day…the tomorrow for which the world yearned had now become today! Like children awakening on Christmas morning with excitement to see the presents under the tree, humanity can rush to another tree—the cross of Christ—and find the greatest present ever given.
Joy to the world! The Lord has come! Let earth receive her King! Let every heart prepare Him room! Sing along with all of Heaven and nature to praise the Father for sending His only Son on this special day. Merry Christmas!
Ready to continue? When I give attention to “the days were completed,” my mind starts doing some word associations…destiny, fulfillment, accomplished, achieved, and realized are the words that pop into my head. The birth of Jesus was not a happy accident in a series of random events. Mary wasn’t the only one who was giving birth that night in Bethlehem. From eternity past, all of history was pregnant with the promise of a Savior. The long-awaited moment had finally arrived. Eternity future would count the arrival of Immanuel, God with Us, as the most important event in the span of perpetuity. Long before the creation of the first atom and the first Adam, God had been planning this moment. The word “completed” is the Greek word pletho which is often translated as “fulfilled” elsewhere in the New Testament. Jesus is the “fulfillment” of the promised Messiah.
Earlier, the angel told Joseph to take Mary as his wife in Matthew 1:21, “She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” All our hopes for being saved from our sinful nature are completed, fullfilled in Jesus. Humanity no longer was waiting for that distant day…the tomorrow for which the world yearned had now become today! Like children awakening on Christmas morning with excitement to see the presents under the tree, humanity can rush to another tree—the cross of Christ—and find the greatest present ever given.
Joy to the world! The Lord has come! Let earth receive her King! Let every heart prepare Him room! Sing along with all of Heaven and nature to praise the Father for sending His only Son on this special day. Merry Christmas!
Love,
Pastor Larry
Pastor Larry
(This is from a series of devotionals written during our time of restricted meetings and activities due to the coronavirus.)
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