At school we have the joy and privilege to watch John-Luke, Mrs. Mahar’s five-month-old son. John-Luke brings joy to all those who see him which reminds me of the angel’s words to the shepherds… “Fear not; for I bring to you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.”
A pastor, preaching at our church on Sunday expressed how difficult the promised coming of Jesus was as we looked closely at the impact on Joseph. This everyday carpenter had to grapple with divorcing Mary, trusting Gabriel’s message in a dream, help Emmanuel be born in an animal shelter and flee to Egypt from king Herod’s assignation attempt, just as a start.
Remember also on the eighth day at Jesus circumcising, Simeon told Mary, “Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against; Yea a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also, that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”
Jesus came into the lives of a young Jewish couple bringing peril, anguish and challenges but all of that was more than worth it because He came to save them and us from our sin. Serving King Jesus today guarantees troubles, challenges and persecution but all of that will be more than worth it because we have the advantage of looking back to the manger, looking back at the empty tomb and now looking forward to Jesus’s return.
