https://www.bible.com/events/49183288
Church of the Nazarene – Harrisonburg
God With Us – In the obscurity
Christmas proves it: There are no invisible people.
Today we continue our Advent series entitled “God with Us”.
Christmas, in a word, is about presence. You can’t talk about the significance of Christmas, the most life-changing story in human history, without talking about presence.
One of the most extraordinary things about the Christmas story is how otherwise unremarkable the people and situations of the nativity are. For one of the most extraordinary events in human history the birth of Jesus is surrounded by the ordinary.
Long before the arrival of Jesus, the promise of God was of a Savior, but the picture we get is not what you might expect.
It’s the picture of a Savior who Himself seems insignificant, alone, invisible, and obscure.
Micah 5:5
And he will be our peace when the Assyrians invade our land and march through our fortresses. We will raise against them seven shepherds, even eight commanders,
So it shouldn’t surprise us, that as we learn the details of Jesus’ arrival, He arrives in obscurity.
Luke 2:1-14
In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
Obscure town? Check
Obscure birthplace? Check
Then the most obscure of people – shepherds who were literally obscure out in their fields – are the ones who see the very Glory of God.
This is the story of a Savior arriving in the midst of obscurity
And the question is: why?
Because God knows you. And He knows how often we feel pretty obscure.
And if that’s you, if it’s ever felt like you, God wrote the story of redemption with you in mind.
This story is an emphatic declaration in the family of God, there is no such thing as obscure. In reality, you can make the case that it is the “unmajestic” He cares for first. That His eyes fall first on the obscure.
The bottom line:
Christmas proves it: There are no invisible people.
Verses for further study/reflection:
Psalm 138:6-8
1 Corinthians 1:27-32
1 Peter 5:5-6
Matthew 21:21
Updates on the new Waynesboro campus
God is inviting us to step out in faith to plant a Spanish-speaking campus in the Waynesboro community. Join us on the journey!
Check out the link below for more information and for frequent updates throughout the journey.
Giving at COTN
If you ever have questions or need help with online giving, please let us know: finance@cotnaz.org Thank you for your partnership in building the Kingdom of Christ as you impact others!