God Was In Christ: An Advent Reading Of Luke 2

 Day Two Luke Chapter 2

The Incarnation was the greatest event this world has ever seen and one of the greatest mysteries. I will write a post on the theological implications of the incarnation this week or perhaps next, but for now, I want to focus on the verse that grabbed my attention as I read Luke’s second chapter today:

“But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” (Lk. 2:10-11 NASB). 

There is that word again—JOY. The arrival of the Christ child was indeed a joyful occasion. The arrival is good news that brings great joy for all mankind. The angels believed it to be joyous even though they could not grasp or understand salvation. They received no salvific benefit. Christ left heaven to come to earth; they understood the magnitude of the event. The prophets sought; the angels desired; humanity benefited.

“As to this salvation, the prophets who prophesied of the grace that would come to you made careful searches and inquiries, seeking to know what person or time the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating as He predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow. It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves, but you, in these things which now have been announced to you through those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things into which angels long to look” (1Pet. 1: 10-12 NASB).

Contemplate the coming of God in Jesus, who is not half-human and half-divine, rather, He is Theanthropos, the God-man, and how He chose to love and reconcile us rather than leave us fallen and alone. Let us not take for granted the birth of Christ. The prophets searched for the day—the time—when He would come, and the very angels of God desired to see this great mystery. The prophets only glimpsed what this wonderful incarnation would mean to the world. The Word says they understood they were serving us when they prophesied His coming. Then, finally, what the prophets longed for came about: 

 “When the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son” (Gal. 4:4a).

Though this great event took place over two thousand years ago, we can look with great anticipation at the coming of Christmas—the arrival of Christ—with the same amazement and wonder. 

“Who is the baby called by angels, ‘Christ the Lord,’ and why should we, like the shepherds of Bethlehem and the Wise Men, seek Him and adore Him? The answer goes back to the very beginning of the world…In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made” (Jn. 1:1-3 NIV).[1]

[1] Bodie and Brock Thoene, Why A Manger? (Vista, California: (Outreach, 2006). 4-5.

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