I find the genealogy of Jesus to be such a picture of God’s grace and faithfulness. If you followed along on our journey through Genesis – you will remember some of these stories.
John issued a command and a dire warning to the crowds gathering around.
Bear fruits in keeping with repentance (v 8 ).
{There should be outward evidence of inward change. When Jesus is teaching on false prophets in Matthew 7:15-20, he tells the people that they will recognize them by their fruit.}
Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire (v 9).
The crowd responded with, “What then shall we do?”
👉 John’s response?
Be generous (v 11).
Be honest (v 12-13).
Be content (v 14).
Such fruit does not result in salvation but should be the result of salvation. May we be known as people who are generous, honest, and content.
I love that Luke (again) points out quiet faithfulness. Mary and Joseph were faithful observers of Passover (v 41.)
Jesus • 12 years old (v 42) • listening and asking questions in the temple (v 46) • amazed others with his understanding and answers (v 47) • was aware of being the Son of God and had a sense of his duty as such (v 49) • chose to be submissive to his earthly parents (v 51) • increased in wisdom, years, and favor with God and man (v 52)
I love that we see Jesus as Son of God and also son of man. We see him listening and learning in the temple. Gathering with others. Increasing in wisdom. Focusing on the things of God. Choosing submission to earthly authority.
Setting the example for those of us who would follow.
Suddenly, the glory of the Lord shone around them.
The Lord didn’t appear to the shepherds with the mega flocks, book deals, prominent platforms, or popular podcasts.
They were in the field, in the dark of the night, doing what shepherds do. And the Lord knew exactly where to find them.
The world is obsessed with celebrities instead of servants. High profiles instead of lowly hearts. Fame instead of faithfulness.
But, friend, the Lord is not moved by such things. Sometimes – faithfulness looks a lot like ordinary. And the Lord is pleased by it.
It’s okay if the world doesn’t applaud. Stay faithful in the watches of the night. And, one day, the glory of the Lord is going to shine. And he knows exactly where to find you.
Jesus (v 7) • Mary’s firstborn son • wrapped in swaddling cloths • laid in a manger
It’s the story that never grows old. God wrapped in flesh. The long awaited Christ.
And, after all the generations of waiting and wondering, “the time came” (v 6).
A thrill of hope.
A weary world rejoices.
A new and glorious morn.
At our house, we make chains of paper rings counting down the number of sleeps until Christmas. (It’s 36, by the way.) The kids run to it each morning to tear off one more ring that takes them one night closer.
I can’t even imagine how excited God was for that first Christmas. He had a plan to save his people and the time had come for hope to enter the darkness. I imagine him whispering, “Don’t give up. He’s coming for you.”
And, I can’t help but think God is counting down the days until his Son comes one final time to lead us all home. Only the Father knows the day but there will be a moment when “the time comes.”
Whatever darkness you’re dealing with – whatever battle is raging around you – I imagine God whispering…
Stacy J. Edwards 