Luke 4 v 18 – 19
Why did He come? What is Christmas about?
18“The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to proclaim Good News to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, 19to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.” (ESV)
We have a nativity scene in our home. It’s a very nice one – it’s all lit up, and I love sitting there listening to the Advent hymns and just looking at it. It stirs my heart to see Mary staring down at that manger. Poor old Joseph always wondering ‘what happened here, what is this?’ God in a manger – that’s what it is Joseph! I want to consider with you:
- His Mother
- His Manger
a. The manger was dirty.
b. It wasn’t a coincidence.
c. Don’t look on the manger lightly, it was a sign.
d. The manger was also a way of discipleship.
e. The manger was step one on the Calvary Road. - His Mission
He came to solve certain problems:
a. The problem of poverty
b. The problem of captivity
c. To heal the sick
d. To set the oppressed free
So this is the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ: His mother whom we honour, but we don’t venerate; His manger which teaches us many lessons; shows us the way of discipleship; His Mission which we are to partake in as He sends us.