Understanding and Applying Luke 2 in 2008 soon to be 2009.
I think most people read Luke 2 around Christmas time and hopefully at other times. Pretty much every church in North America teaches on Luke 2 in December, families read it before opening presents, programs on television from Charlie Brown to who knows what else share it as well. I appreciate all of the above. But I wonder, can we really, truly get our heads around how it happened?

"In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. And the angel said to them, "fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom He is pleased," when the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another "Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us. And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger." Luke 2:1-16 I could seriously type out the whole chapter but you may read it yourself and mull over it. (realizing that some of my friends reading this may not have a Bible I encourage you to go out and get one, or call me I will bring you one--for real!)

On to my musings. . .
I watched a movie tonight "The Nativity" I think it's a year old or so but I hadn't seen it. I was surprised at my reaction to it. I was distracted while watching it; only passing in and out of the room where it was being played. I sat down at one point and found myself teary watching it. The thought that God, the creator of the universe, I mean the One who literally SPOKE the WORLD into existence, God, GOD chose to bring His ONE and ONLY son into this world through a woman, a meek, unmarried, pure, young woman. He was born in a stable, a STABLE folks! Stables or barns house animals, dirty animals, surrounded at best with straw and manure. He was wrapped in swaddlings (cloths) laid in a manger, a feeding troth. He was placed in the care of a young engaged couple (engaged then was all but married not quiet the same as today's engagements). I continue to be amazed, knowing that I don't fully grasp it and won't this side of heaven. I heard a song on the way home from my friends house where I saw this movie-the chorus goes something like this "He made the lame walk and the dumb talk and He opened blinded eyes to see..."

Jesus, after He "grew in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and man" Luke 2:52 started healing blind people, lame people, demon possessed people, bleeding people and crippled people. He literally hung out with prostitutes and tax collectors-ok today tax collectors aren't all bad but back then man alive! They were corrupt as all get out back then. And come on, prostitutes, when was the last time you hung out with a prostitute? anyone? or better yet a pedophile? Would Jesus hang out with him? Remind me -who did Jesus come for? The healthy? Matthew 9:12 says "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: I desire mercy, not sacrifice. For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."

This God, this Jesus, this Messiah came to save us, but not only to save us, to love us; to love us deeply, intimately, unconditionally. He drew the weak, the weary, the sinful and the lonely to Himself. So many things to get my head around here--
1. that God chose to bring His one beloved Son into a world that rejected Him ages ago, in the lowest of means; in a stable.
2. that Jesus grew in wisdom, stature and favor with God and man and yet hung out with the (in our eyes) ugliest people, the outcasts, the bottom feeders---that's who He came for --just a reminder--that's you and me. should be sobering.
3. what would His birth look like today?
4. what would He look like today

I read a great book a few years ago by Bill Myers called Eli. It's fictional but amazing--its basically Luke 2 modern day. Worth reading for the sake of understanding and applying Luke 2 today.

Why would such a great God love such a person like me? Psalm 139 has a bit to say about this. He created me in the secret place, knows me, knows my days before one of them begins. I am His and He is mine. I love Him and He loves me. He allows me to struggle, to suffer, to cry and even flounder a bit, but HE never changes in the midst of it, He is constant and His love for me is constant. Humbling.

His grace is sufficient. His love overwhelms. He embraces me and comforts me.

I find myself continually amazed and struck, humbled and awed by His love and mercy, by His grace and compassion, by His forgiveness of all my sins and His making me righteous, me of all people!!!! He redeemed me, redeemed my soul! He gave me new life! When I was 19 He gave me new life! He sought me, pursued me, drew my heart toward Himself, covered me in His love, healed me with His Word, with His grace, His mercy and compassion. Has He done something similar for you? Do you long for Him to? Call out to Jesus. Do you know Him already? Have you told anyone? Folks you work with, live near, walk by in the store, drive by, and yes those that live in Africa (those that have my heart) need you, they need you to talk to them, to love them. Yet another thing I don't understand but creates a sense of urgency in me--He uses us to speak of His love to others! My sweet friend often tells her two year old little girl to "use your words" come on folks use your words, use His Word, yes use your life most definitely along with words!! :) We are not promised tomorrow. Enjoy Him, enjoy the life He's given you- by all means have fun doing it (my personal philosophy) and open your heart-open your mouth-LIVE OUT LOUD!