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.” (Like 2:11-12)
I read this morning Luke chapter 1 and 2 the Story of Jesus’s birth. What we refer to as the “Christmas Story.” How God in his entirety and all his glory left his heavenly realm far from us, descended to the earth and in the babe Jesus, became Emmanuel, God with us. In the incarnation God took on completely human form and became like one of us (Phil 2:7-8). In this Christmas Story we see how God changed everything of how we are able to access Him, relate to Him and most importantly, imitate him (Heb 4:15). Before Jesus was born we had no tangible example of what God was like or how we were to follow him. Because we had no one to “follow.” What mankind had was a Temple form of worship, in which only a few elite priests could access the Holy of Holies and be in God’s presence. It was as very religious, legalistic, and distinguished form of encountering God. With the Christmas story God forever changed that and changed how we encounter him now to a very personal, simple level.
In the Christmas Story we see that God chose Mary to be the mother Jesus. She was not distinguished at all. She was not of royalty, or the daughter of a high priest or a rich respected landowner. She was a poor, nameless 15-18 year old girl.
Her husband Joseph likewise was not who you would think would be the earthly father of the Son of God. He was not a King, or ruler, or a respected religious Clergy. Nor was he wealthy, owning much land, live stock and riches like the patriarchs of his faith: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph. He was a poor, unknown carpenter. Who for the trip to Bethlehem he did not even have a cart for them to ride in, but he could only afford one donkey for his wife to ride and had to walk the whole trip beside her.
The place in which Jesus born was not distinguished or religious at all. The Son of God was not born in the Temple, or a palace, or even a nice home in a warm bed on silk sheets, but on straw in a manger among the animals.
When Jesus was born, who did the Angels and the company of heaven go and announce it to? To Rome and the Emperor? To Jerusalem and King Herod or in the Temple to the high Priests? No, to poor, common shepherds. (Luke 2:8-12).
This whole story of Jesus’ birth, the beginning of Christianity, and the Christmas story is one of meager, common, humble, unreligious beginnings. Jesus’ story on earth ended the same way. He is crucified as a common criminal and after he is raised from the dead and leaves the tomb, who is the first people to see him? Women. (Matt 28:7-10). Not to take offense with the women of today, but back then women did not count, literally.
Jesus told the women to tell the men to meet him in Galilee which is approximately 60 miles from Jerusalem. (Matt 28:16-20) Jesus was saying “church”is not about Jerusalem any more! His church was now about Him, and forming a deep, intimate personal relationship with him. He wanted a personal relationship with us at our level. But we, mankind did not, and still do not like this. Even though all of mankind has read or heard this story I just read, that God became incarnate in man in the most humble, intimate, and personal way. We are uncomfortable with it. We still in some way do not believe it. That we are ok as we are. That God wants to dwell personally with us and that we are his plan through whom God will restore the world. God can’t just reside in me, in my home. To grasp that God is with us, Emmanuel, was just to simple. God can’t reside in me, he must live in something special.
So what did we do? We built the great cathedrals of St. Peter’s in Rome, St. Paul’s in London, and Notre Dame in Paris. Great halls ornate with gold and art work. We built big churches on our street corners. We built temples again! Churches with carved altars, and stain glass windows. We serve the Lord’s Supper in ornate gold and silver chalices. We did what is the exact opposite of what this story in the Bible tells us to do. We re-built the same thing that Jesus had his disciples walk three days away from. We chose cathedrals over mangers. Cathedrals are the opposite of a manger. They suggest the opposite of the incarnation message that God is made flesh among us, and that God is present in our ordinary lives. Cathedrals proclaim God resides here under their steeples, and we must go to them to encounter God.
The church prefers seeing God in a gold box on an altar than in a panhandler on a street or a single mom in a welfare line. However, that is not the story of Christmas.
My family, I pray today you will read the Christmas Stories in Luke and Matthew. Then spend time in prayer and reflect on, “Is how and where you seek to encounter Jesus like that of the Christmas story?” How is it different? What do you need to change so your faith is simply about intimately knowing Jesus? May you walk out your door this morning understanding that “You are the church” so that you may lead those you encounter today to understand the same, In Jesus name. Please pray the same for me. God bless you my friends!
PS: Am I busy this time of year, Absolutely. However, Can I make time to talk to you? Absolutely. The Holiday season can bring out many emotions in people. Need to talk? My door is always open, the coffee pot is always on and my sofa is always warm and a place of peace and non-judgment. Any who needs to chat are welcome to contact me anytime. It's no good suffering in silence. I have cold drinks in the fridge...tea & coffee in the cupboard and I will always be here....You are never not welcome!! Starbucks and Waffle House are open and a place to talk. Call me on my phone. You never have to go through a day of depression, fear, frustration, or anxieties of life alone. It's always good to talk but its even better to listen, and to be listened to. Some days this hits closer to home than we think. I'll always lend an ear and a shoulder and my heart. My hands are always ready to raise in prayer. Where ever you are, if you are struggling with anything and need to talk, call me or go to your church, call a friend or family member.
I want to encourage you to join me by also sharing with us your thoughts, comments, reflections, and prayers you received from today’s reading in the comment box below.
As the year draws to an end, please give and help Nancy and I help them!
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My wife Nancy and I in our ministries are pouring completely into planting and growing simple house churches in our neighborhoods, and having “boots on the ground” serving in our community.. Please pray over this season in our lives and that of our family and ODC. Please partner and support us and One Direction community through setting up a monthly donation now for next year, or a one –time gift by clicking the link below. Donation checks can be made out to ODC, PO Box 1293 Madison, Al 35758. Thank You Thank You!
Gary Liederbach- Lead Follower
One Direction Community
Email: garyl@onedirection.community
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