'Good news for ALL People'

meaning of this was sidelined in light of the command to go see the baby, but it foreshadowed the profound impact He would make on peoples all over the world.

 “All the people” were represented in the wisemen and the shepherds who straddled many divides that were thought impossible to bring together. Consider the tremendous differences between the magi and the shepherds who were both bidden to come to Jesus. The magi were intellectuals who studied philosophy and natural phenomenon. The shepherds were uneducated, focusing on the work at hand. The magi were the top 1% who had everything they wanted. The shepherds were just above subsistence farmers. The magi were from a foreign empire. The shepherds were Israelites. The magi worshipped all kinds of gods. The shepherds trusted Yahweh, the one true God. The magi spoke foreign languages. The shepherds spoke the language of Holy Scripture. The magi used a complex star map. The shepherds were given clear direction to walk down the road to Jesus.

 There could not have been more different characters in the story of Jesus’ birth. These two groups both bowed before the same king, stating allegiance and spreading the news. Though they may have never met each other, we have met them both. We discover that their stories are a single story of God’s salvation, which is for all people. When Simeon saw Jesus in Mary’s arms at the temple, he grabbed Jesus and declared to God, "My eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel." (Luke 2:30-32)

 A toast to King Jesus, a light to the Gentiles and the glory of Israel!

 Merry Christmas,

Jonathan