“Windows On Christmas” (Part One)

With Thanksgiving behind us, Christmas is surely lurking on the horizon, making this an appropriate time to calibrate our thinking about this, the “most wonderful time of the year.” To do that, I would suggest that we examine the familiar Christmas story again, but through the eyes of the folks that were there. Their perspectives can dramatically impact our perspectives—and perspective Is key.

In Luke 2, the story of Christmas is seen from 6 different perspectives. We’ll consider them together this week…

The Angels (vv.13-14)

• And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, (14) “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

Reaction? EXALTATION- This is their primary function in any event, but now, on earth, humans were allowed to experience what happens in heaven all the time! (see Rev.4-5; Isaiah 6) These angels were not only the first “gospel” messengers, they were the Father’s advance team, preparing the way for His Son’s arrival on earth.

Mary (v.19)

• But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.

Her reaction? WONDER. She had displayed a heart of wonder in Luke 1 at the announcement that she would bear the Christ child. Now, 9 months later, that wonder is multiplied at the sight of the shepherds and the testimony of the angels, Childbirth is an awesome thing anyway, but this one was especially over the top awesome!

I hope that we have not lost the sense of wonder that the coming of Christ should give us!

Tomorrow, we will see two more perspectives of the Christmas story.