We miss our advent calendar made by my grandma’s hands.
Our Christmas gathering will be small.
And we are aware some of our gifts, unable to fit in suitcases, will be left when we leave.
Nothing this year seems right. Nothing seems how it should be.
Our garage is clean.
My closet is half empty.
My shoes fit on ½ a shoe self.
Nothing this year seems right. Nothing seems how it should be.
“God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”
Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”
“How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”
The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. For no word from God will ever fail.”
“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.
Luke 1
This does not seem right. Virgins and old women do not have children.
“Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.
Matthew 1:18-19
This does not seem right. This is not the way a marriage begins.
“Mary gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.”
Luke 2:7-8?
This does not seem right. This is not where a baby is to be born.
The birth of a baby should be in a place with someone who has medical training.
The birth of a baby should happen were family can flood in soon after to praise the new parents and adore on the beautiful new addition.
The birth of a baby is suppose to be characterized by tiny clothes and teddy bears.
The birth of a baby is not suppose to happen out in the cold, surrounded by animals, and with strangers coming to admire the child.
The birth of a king . . . I am not royalty, but I am guessing a barn is out of the question.
The birth of a king is to happen in a palace, surrounded by the best medical care, family pacing in the next room, and outside a growing crowd waiting excitingly to hear the news.
The birth of a baby is big news to a family.
The birth of a king is big new to the world.
The birth of Jesus does not seem right. The birth of a king should be different.
Jesus’ birth is different.
Jesus’ life is different.
Jesus’ death is different.
Jesus’ resurrection is different.
From birth to death Jesus is a humble king. A king not pursuing what a baby of any status deserves. Not pursuing what the life of a king deserves. Not pursuing what the death of a king deserves.
Jesus is different.
According to Hebrews 2:17, Jesus is a king who is merciful and faithful. Hebrews 4:15, he is a king who is able to sympathize with us. 1 John 1:18, he is a king who shows perfect love.
Jesus is a king who lived differently so that we know how to live differently.
For many of us, this Christmas is different. There may be less presents. There may be less family. There may be less . . .
But different can be good.
Different brought us a king.
Different made a way for us to know the King.
When nothing this year seems right or nothing seems how it should be, let’s remind each other, different brought us . . .
A King who is the light of the world (John 8:12).
A king who is the good shepherd (John 10:14).
A king who died for us (Romans 5:8).
Different can be good.
Though different, I hope you all have a wonderful and special Christmas!
