Luke 2: 8-14
8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields near by, keeping watch over their flocks at night.9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.’13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,14 ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.’
Just a few months ago was Christmas. It is a time for joy. A time we think of others, a time to show others that we love and appreciate them. It is a time we remember those less fortunate. We all love the beautiful nativity scenes with baby Jesus at center stage. Now, it’s lent. It is a time I reflect on the life of Jesus, this same babe whose birth made the angels sing. Jesus, who taught like no other, healed the sick, walked on water, fed the hungry, casted out demons, and raised the dead. He lived a perfect, sinless life. After all this, he was betrayed and abandoned by his closest friends. He was mocked, whipped, abused and finally nailed to a cross. Sometimes I find it hard to believe anyone could be that cruel to one with so much righteousness. It is even harder to understand why Jesus would do this for the very ones putting him in so much pain.
But the story isn’t over. The story goes on because Jesus then rose from the dead and will some day return bringing peace to Earth. Without Easter, Christmas would just be a good story. Without the death, burial, and resurrection, would Christmas have real meaning? The Easter story pulls it all together. It be-gins with our Father in heaven loving us so much he sent love down in the form of a baby, growing into a man, becoming my redeemer, to gloriously finish the story that began at Christmas.
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