There is much about the Christmas story as told by our culture that isn’t true: whether or not Mary rode a donkey, quite how many Maji there were (it only says 3 gifts in Matthew ch 2), etc…
Yet the account the Bible describes IS true: Luke himself declares in ch 1 of his Gospel account that he has “carefully investigated everything from the beginning…” (Luke 1:3) including speaking to eye witnesses.
The point is that when the Angels declared to the Shepherds this “good news that will cause great joy for all the people.” (Luke 2:10) he really meant it.
And when the Angel choir went on to sing: “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” (Luke 2:14) we can be sure that the coming of the Saviour meant that God’s favour does indeed rest on those who trust that and come to find real peace with Him.
It’s really important that we don’t let all that’s happening around us obscure these truths: the buzz of Christmas festivities is usually bad enough, but this year again we have the uncertainties of Covid and the threat of isolation and lockdown to mean that our eyes, hearts and minds can easily be distracted.
There is lots that we don’t know, and maybe there wasn’t ‘snow on snow’ or whatever else our Victorian forebears liked to sing about. Indeed, it probably didn’t even take place in December! (And what does it matter? After all the Queen has two birthdays!) What is certain is that Immanuel came! He lived among us! He died for us! He rose again! He’s coming back!
Praise God indeed for such favour upon us!
Happy Christmas!
Spencer Shaw