All are welcome to join us on Sunday, December 24 at 8 pm for a Christmas eve service with Candlelight and Communion.

Marlene’s Rev. Notes:

“In those days, Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world.” Luke 2:1

Luke’s version of the birth of Jesus is certainly my most favorite. The passage goes to great lengths to tell us exactly the historical time that Christ was born. The decree went out from Caesar Augustus and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. The census included “the entire Roman world,” which was the same as saying “all the known world,” at that time. The glorious news brought by the Angel is that the fullness of time has come and that the Christ child, our salvation, has been born.

Not only does this piece situate the birth in global history, but in Israelite history as well with the reference to Joseph being a descendant of David. This accomplishes two things: it provides a reason for Joseph and Mary to travel to Bethlehem, the city of David, and it connects Jesus to King David and the prophecy concerning the coming of the Messiah (2 Samuel 7:12-16).

The description of Joseph and Mary’s poverty, highlights “the great reversal,” in which the lowly are brought high and the lofty brought low. The shepherds too are lowly; yet they are the first to receive the news. The shepherds provide another connection to David, who was a shepherd before being anointed King of Israel, and therefore a shepherd to the entire Nation.

Today, we, like the shepherds, receive the good news of Jesus’ birth, and rejoice: “Glory to God in the highest!” as we celebrate the child wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.