[This article replaces tomorrow’s]
An Unexpected Advent Story
God promised the nation of Israel—His Chosen people—a magnificent gift. For thousands of years, Israel waited for the fulfillment of this promise. But when this promised gift came, it caught Israel by surprise.
We all react to surprises in different ways. Some of us hate surprises because they disrupt our plans or scare us. Others love the opportunity and wonder surprises bring.
We would expect the Jewish religious leaders to be most aware and prepared for their promised Messiah. Sadly, they were not. The Messiah and Savior of the world came in an unexpected way and did not measure up to their expectations. Hear what Jesus said about the misplaced expectations of the Jewish leaders—
When he came closer and saw the city, he began to cry. He said, “If you had only known today what would bring you peace! But now it is hidden, so you cannot see it. The time will come when enemy armies will build a wall to surround you and close you in on every side. They will level you to the ground and kill your people. One stone will not be left on top of another, because you didn’t recognize the time when God came to help you.” (Luke 19: 41–44, GW)
Here is the resulting attitude and decision on the part of the Jewish leaders—
So the chief priests and the Pharisees called a meeting of the council. They asked, “What are we doing? This man is performing a lot of miracles. If we let him continue what he’s doing, everyone will believe in him. Then the Romans will take away our position and our nation.”
One of them, Caiaphas, who was chief priest that year, told them, “You people don’t know anything. You haven’t even considered this: It is better for one man to die for the people than for the whole nation to be destroyed.” (John 11: 47–50, GW)
Thankfully, many others embraced God’s gracious gift of love when He sent His Son as a newborn into a family of no great importance.
This is God’s way. He delights in people who are not full of themselves or their own self-importance. God chose humble people to receive the LORD, who came in humble circumstances and lived in humility. God used an unexpected cast of characters in the epic story of the advent of the Lord Jesus. The story we call Christmas.
Unexpected People
Joseph and Mary were the parents God chose for His Son. They were not important people in Israel, but played an essential part in God’s story. Both of them were descendants of King David and Abraham the patriarch (Matt 1:1–16; Luke 3:23–38). Their stories are told in more detail in the first two chapters of the Gospels of Matthew and Luke.
Even before Jesus was born, God chose another couple to help pave the way for the Messiah’s arrival. We read about Zechariah and Elizabeth, who miraculously have a son in their old age. He would become the prophet announcing the advent (coming) of Israel’s Messiah. Their story is told in the first chapter of the Gospel of Luke. Their son’s role in announcing the Messiah’s arrival came 30 years later. You can find John’s story at the beginning of all four Gospels.
A few other people also humbly played their parts in God’s story of the advent of Jesus. A group of unnamed shepherds played a role in the announcement and acknowledgment of the birth of Israel’s Messiah. Shepherds were not just humble people, but what we might consider as unsavory characters. They were vagabonds by trade, likely didn’t smell very good, were uneducated, and perhaps of questionable character.
And yet, God sent an angelic chorus to announce the birth of His Son to these unnamed and seemingly unimportant shepherds. They were beyond surprised. They shook with fear at first. But they embraced this wonderful surprise and went to see it for themselves (Luke 2:8–20).
Not long after His birth, Joseph and Mary presented their firstborn son at the temple in Jerusalem according to the Law of Moses. Here we find Simeon and Anna.
Simeon spoke a prophetic word over the infant Jesus and to His mother. The prophetess Anna also spoke over Jesus and shared His birth and the purpose for His life with others there. We find their story in Luke 2:21–38.
God even used three wise men from a far country (non-Israelites) to pay homage to this child who became the King of all kings. They saw the sign of His star in the heavens and traveled to Jerusalem to worship Him over a year after His birth.
Although tragedy would follow their visit, their spiritual awareness and obedience to a dream from God showed their humility. We find their story in Matt 2:1–12.
Us and Christmas Now
God still works through humble, ordinary people. He continues to include them in the sharing of His story of redemption. A story that began in an unexpected way with an unexpected cast of characters. Are you open and willing to play a part in God’s continuing story of redemption?
How? Simply humble yourself in prayer with an open heart. Worship the Lord from your heart. Then take some time this Christmas season to read the Christmas story — the advent of God’s Son — the Messiah and Savior of the world. Be encouraged by how God used humble and seemingly unimportant people to play their parts in His story of redemption.
Merry Christmas to y’all!
[This article replaces tomorrow’s]
This article reminds me that God often uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things.