| Luke 2: 1-7 |
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The Birth of Jesus Christ
2 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 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, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 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. |
This is such a familiar passage, but one that shows us God’s rescue plan for the world in full action. The words of a Graham Kendrick song express our wonder and what our reaction should be much better than I ever could:
| WHAT KIND OF GREATNESS can this be |
| That chose to be made small? |
| Exchanging untold majesty |
| For a world so pitiful |
| That God should come as one of us |
| I'll never understand |
| The more I hear the story told |
| The more amazed I am |
| Oh what else can I do |
| But kneel and worship you |
| And come just as I am |
| My whole life an offering |
| The One in whom we live and move |
| In swaddling cloths lies bound |
| The voice that cried let there be light |
| Asleep without a sound |
| The One who strode among the stars |
| And called each one by name |
| Lies helpless in a mother's arms |
| And must learn to walk again |
| What greater love could he have shown |
| To shamed humanity |
| Yet human pride hates to believe |
| In such deep humility |
| But nations now may see his grace |
| And know that he is near |
| When his meek heart, his words, his works |
| Are incarnate in us here |
Vicky