2 THAT VERY SPECIAL NIGHT F O O T ================================

• H O L D

READING

2 THAT VERY SPECIAL NIGHT

PRAY Help me to grasp again the excitement of this very familiar story, heavenly Father. —————————————————————– READ Luke 2:1-20. —————————————————————– THINK What does this story tell us about God? What should be distinctive about a Christian’s celebration of Christmas? —————————————————————– FOCUS Try to catch the wonder of this most priceless of all stories. The Old Testament foretold that the Saviour should come by human birth, at Bethlehem, as a descendant of David, that he would come out of Egypt, and be connected with Nazareth – a most extraordinary and unlikely combination. But God brings together the apparently small events of human history in unpredictable and amazing ways. Augustus was Emperor in Rome and he ordered a census. Unknown to himself he was being used by God to ensure that Jesus was born where the prophecy said he would be (3,4). God may well sometimes work out his purposes for you, too, through apparently casual events. Notice the contrast between verses 7 and 9. Verse 7 tells us about the birth of a baby in a dark, dismal, dirty, smelly, noisy, damp Eastern stable. But – just occasionally the unseen world, the world where God rules over all, breaks in upon ours – as here. The shepherds caught a glimpse; they shared briefly in the joy and worship which is the very life of heaven (14). Imagine yourself leaning over the new-born baby Jesus lying in straw, in a manger in Bethlehem. Wonder of wonders! The eternal One has entered into time. History will never be the same again.

PRAY Accept my praises, Lord, as I join the hosts of heaven to declare

your glory.