Reflection Day 25

December 25, 2016 0 0

Playlists

Add to Favourites

Save for later

Luke 2: 16 – 20

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Our word for today – the celebration of Jesus birth – is Immanuel. Written in Hebrew as  לא ונמע it literally translates from right to left as ‘with / us / Elohim’ – ‘God with us’ in our way of speaking.  

Not God looking over us, or God speaking from the mountain-top, but God coming in among us to tell us and show us his love through the life of his son. Look carefully at today’s picture of Jesus’ birth. It’s an old painting by the Italian painter Domenichino from the middle of the 17th Century. You can see how much care and work has been put into it’s complex detail. The artist studied the work of his master and other painters for ideas and techniques, and has carefully read the Bible narrative to make sure he gets everything in!  See how many characters from the familiar story you can find.  

Now look at the Shepherd on the right of the picture; the one in blue with his stick on his shoulder. Everyone else is looking at Jesus, but he turns to look out of the stable, pointing at what he has seen. He is doing what is described in verse 17 above – ‘When they had seen him, they spread the word’ !   

The birth of Jesus is an awesome event, and those who were involved were often bowled over by what they were witnessing, but fortunately a few made sure to spread the word, and we who understand the significance of Jesus birth are similarly called to spread that word throughout our time and generation. God is with us!  Happy Christmas!