Central Family,

“What have you done today that nobody but a Christ-follower would do?” It’s a question that caught me off guard when I first heard it. This first week of Advent I have been thinking a lot about how I would answer the question. What have I done that no one but a Christ follower would do? What is your answer? If you are willing please email me your response. I would love to hear from you.

This coming Sunday we gather around the simple but profound story of Jesus’ birth in Luke 2:1-7. Our focus is ‘The Gift of the Season.’ In “Becoming God’s Child,” M. Craig Barnes writes,

“Sixty-six years before the birth of Christ, in an aristocratic community of Rome, a very important child was born. As soon as he arrived, a messenger raced into the Roman Senate and announced, “The next ruler of the world is born.” His name was Octavius, and he was destined to become the adopted son of Julius Caesar. He grew up in the palace. He was educated by the finest teachers of literature, philosophy and government. And at the age of 33 he was the uncontested ruler of the entire Roman Empire. He just had to give the word and armies would march and ships would sail, He just had to give the word and the world would move for him. The Senate gave him the name Emperor Augustus, meaning the exalted one, who reigned over the golden age of the empire.

When he was about 66 years old, “In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered.” It was during this census that another child was born in a very unimportant village, in a very unimportant part of the empire. No Roman messengers ran to announce his birth to the Senate. Instead, it was God’s own angelic messenger who announced the birth of Jesus Christ to the least of the inhabitants of the empire, a small band of shepherds watching over their sheep. “Do not be afraid; for see – I am bringing you good news of great joy, for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord.”

This other child began his life in a humble manger, because there was no room for him in the normal places. He was raised not in a palace, but in a common Jewish home. He was not educated in literature and philosophy, but in carpentry. And at the age of 33, he ascended not to the reign of the Roman Empire, but to a Roman Cross. “He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him.” (John1:10,11) No, we never did have much room for Jesus. That is why we killed him. But in that ultimate act of sacrifice for the sins of a dark world, Jesus became the King of a whole new kingdom that has long outlived every empire.” (M. Craig Barnes, “Becoming God’s Child.”)

THE GIFT OF THE SEASON is discovered in smallness, humility and servanthood. Let us consider becoming unknown and squeezing into small places in the lives of those around us who have a great need to know this babe from Bethlehem, Jesus our Savior and Lord. The miracle is that we will discover Christ as he makes his way through us into the lives of others.

Please be praying that God’s Spirit will lead many to the manger this Sunday!

In Christ,

Paul Johansson
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