It’s the most frequently portrayed scene in all of human history.
Four-year olds sketch out the wise men, sheep, and cattle. Sculptors craft three human figures beneath a simple roof, and we fill in the rest. Churches erect elaborate crèches, some with anxious animals, some with freezing actors. Billions of gilded Christmas cards imagine this one moment in its gentle innocence.
Why does the story of a humble birth 2000 years ago transfix a weary world? Because it is supremely a story of hope, of resistance, of pushing back against the dreadful narrative of death and power and pain. “In Him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overtake it” (John 1:4-5).
Jesus entered this life we live by the low road, though He owns all roads that ever were. He was worshipped—yes, adored—by midnight shepherds stained with mud—men ignored by all the proud and powerful, though He is rightfully worshipped by archangels, universal praise, and choirs. “God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important” (1Cor 1:28).
Jesus always gives Himself to those brought low by circumstance or grief—the poor, the poorly treated, the poor in spirit—the folks who cannot turn the world their way. Beginning from the bottom, He lifts all of us toward heaven.
Embrace this Child. Your hope and joy will also rise.
And you will stay in grace. -Bill Knott
Bill Knott's GraceNotes: Keep On Singing (December 18, 2020)
Bill Knott's GraceNotes: Saving Our Stories (December 11, 2020)
Bill Knott's GraceNotes: Grace On The Ground (December 4, 2020)
Bill Knott's GraceNotes: Full Of Grace And Truth (November 27, 2020)
Bill Knott's GraceNotes: The Choice To Love (November 20, 2020)
Bill Knott's GraceNotes: The Great Unlearning (November 13, 2020)
Journeys With Jesus: The Empty Vase
Searching The Obvious: Keep Walking
Bill Knott's GraceNotes: Beyond The Galaxy (November 6, 2020)
Bill Knott's GraceNotes: The Best Kind Of Graffiti (October 30, 2020)
Bill Knott's GraceNotes: The Gift That Keeps On Giving (October 23, 2020)
Bill Knott's GraceNotes: Winning Together (October 16, 2020)
Bill Knott's GraceNotes: When Gripped By Guilt (October 9, 2020)
Bill Knott's GraceNotes: Beyond Debate (October 2, 2020)
Bill Knott's GraceNotes: Best Selfie Of All (September 25, 2020)
Bill Knott's GraceNotes: The Road Much Traveled (September 18, 2020)
Bill Knott's GraceNotes: Re-telling Grace (September 11, 2020)
Bill Knott's GraceNotes: Grace Kneels (September 4, 2020)
Searching The Obvious - From Choice to Plan
Bill Knott's GraceNotes: Beyond Regret (August 28, 2020)
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