Often times nowadays when we want to tell a great story we embellish the details, don’t we. We don’t lie, but what is good we really emphasise, and what is not so great, we don’t spend much time on. Here in Luke 2.7, the simplicity of the birth of Jesus is said in just 8 words,
“And she gave birth to her firstborn son…”
There is no need for embellishment, there is no need for extra details to be overemphasised, there is no need for unneeded words.
“And she gave birth to her firstborn son…”
The first three-quarters of the Bible have been looking forward to this date.
The fist two chapters of Luke have dealt with events leading up to this date.
The first few millennia of the earth since Genesis 3.15 have been looking forward to this date.
There is no need to add to the simplicity of the wonderful events that took place that night.
We know they changed the course of human history. We know this is when an all-powerful creator God pierced the space-time continuum and took up residence among us. We know that this moment is the beginning of a point in history from which much of the Western world would begin to orbit (whether they know or acknowledge it or not). We know.
“And she gave birth to her firstborn son…”
As we move into this Christmas season day by day, it is easy to fall prey to the trappings and temptations of the season; one more of those…buying that extra…hanging that additional…eating/drinking just one more…Really though, the simplicity of the account of Luke gives us a model for the season, truth first.
“And she gave birth to her firstborn son…”
Truth first, she gave birth to her firstborn son…Christmas is about the birth of Jesus.
Enjoy the accompaniments to this time of year, for sure, but always keeping the simplicity of the wondrous events of that night first and foremost.
James Travis 