THE ANNUNCIATION: Of the birth of Savior, the Lord.
Lets go through the narrative: Luke 2: 6 – 14
Scene 1
“And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. She gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him smugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.”
Every aspect of the birth of Savior, the Lord goes counter to human reasoning and playbook. Think of it. The king is born. Apostle Paul writing to the Colossian believers (Colossians 1: 15-20), describes him as “The visible image of the invisible God.” One who “before anything was created and is supreme over all creation, for through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made everything we can see and the things we can’t see – such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers and authorities in the unseen world. And hear this: “Everything was created through him and for him.” The owner of everything created was not born in a royal palace with all the grandiosity of royalty but in a manger “because there was no lodging available” for Mary and her baby.
What a place to deliver a child – amongst goats and cattle. That is the lowest anyone can go to deliver a baby. His birth was not meant to draw the attention of the mighty and powerful of the world. His birth identified with the poor, the lowly and the homeless of this world.
Scene 2
That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior — yes, the Messiah, the Lord — has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.”
Again the announcement of the birth of the Savior was made by the messenger from heaven not to kings and princes, but to the Shepherds – members of the lowest in the social ladder. The appearance of heavenly being always evoke fear among humans. There is always that sense of awesomeness. “Suddenly , an angel of the Lord appeared among them and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them: Don’t be afraid. After the announcement, the angel was joined by a vast host of other angels – the armies of heaven, praising God and saying:
“Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”
Joy to the world the Lord is come Let earth receive her King!. Let every heart prepare him room And heaven and nature sing (2 ice) And heaven, and heaven and nature sing.
There was no room for the Lord and king of the universe. No room was available for the Savior in the 5-star hotels – not even in our local hotels. The song writer enjoins us to prepare room in our hearts for him. Would you receive the King? Remember? He is no king like any other. He wants to be king of your life here and onto eternity. He only can put joy in your heart in this day of covid-19 uncertainties.
Vincent
