The Christmas Story Linus Style! | Luke 2:1-20

We are going to read the greatest story ever told, and it’s a hundred percent true. It’s a story about a rescue mission. It’s a love story. It’s God saying, I want to know you. I want to save you. I want you to come live with me forever. It’s why he sent his Son the Lord Jesus into this world to be born on Christmas day. We’re reading Luke chapter two, in the King James version. Let’s settle in.

Special thanks to Seattle’s Union Gospel Mission, for bringing us the Bible For Busy People this Christmas season!

Show Notes:

• Who Is Jesus? Let us introduce you!
• Have a prayer request? Leave it here.
• We’d love for you to leave a review. We know most of our listeners come from Apple podcasts and if that is you, please take a moment to rate the podcast and tell us what you loved about this episode. It helps us reach more people!

Transcription:

I’ve never thought about it before, but one of my favorite words is low, not like get down low, but LO from when Linus reads the Christmas story in the Peanuts Special when he says, and Lo the angel of the Lord came upon them and the glory of the Lord shown roundabout them, and they were so afraid. Aren’t you glad that’s not the end of the story? Welcome to the Bible for Busy People. I’m Erica, your host, and that’s exactly what you and I are going to do today. We are going to read the greatest story ever told, and it’s a hundred percent true. It’s a story about a rescue mission. It’s a love story. It’s God saying, I want to know you. I want to save you. I want you to come live with me forever. It’s why he sent his Son the Lord Jesus into this world to be born on Christmas day.

That very first Christmas is the reason you and I can have hope today. It was the beginning, actually, of the greatest story ever told because it continued as Jesus grew up, began his ministry, died for our sins on Good Friday, and rose again that first Easter Sunday. It’s why we celebrate defeating death hell and the grave and everything you and I are afraid of. Opening the door of heaven to you and to me… All we have to do is accept his love and his forgiveness for the mistakes we’ve made. It’s that simple. I wasn’t planning on sharing this, but it just dropped into my heart, so I’m going to go with it. The Christmas Story is so simple as you and I are about to discover again together. Jesus, the Son of God, the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords was born in a stable, and his parents laid him in a manger, which was a feeding trough for animals like pigs, sheep, and cows.

There’s a beautiful poem, and maybe we’ll read it together before the Christmas season is over, about how Jesus was born in that stable, which was dirty. Let’s face it, right? Animals live there. And He also is so good enough and so wonderful enough to come and be born in our hearts. Oh, I’m going to have to find that poem and share it with you. But for right now, will you join me in Luke chapter two, beginning in verse one, the Linus version, the King James. Here we go.

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. 2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) 3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) 5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. 6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. 8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. 10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. 15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. 16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. 17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. 18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

It feels so good, doesn’t it, to make room in of your heart for the Christ child? To take a deep breath, to just get quiet until it’s almost as if you could hear the angels singing on that silent night. I wonder if it was silent, if Jesus cried. Oh, it just feels good to prepare Him room as the beautiful Christmas song, joy to the world encourages us to do. As we wrap up our time together today, I want to encourage you to read the Christmas story out loud with your family. One thing that our family likes to do is to take turns like everybody read a few verses and go around your living room, make some cocoa, make it a tradition. There’s something that happens when you and I read God’s words out loud. It’s very special. And by the way, it is such an honor to read God’s Word with you. Hey, until next time, you are so loved.

Thank you for making space to study the Bible with me today. If you feel something stirring in your soul, that’s the God who made you, saying, I love you and I want to know you. It’s what Christmas is all about. Jesus came for you so that your soul would know its worth. He came to bring joy to the world, and to your world. It’s the most beautiful love story ever written, and it’s true. It’s the greatest rescue mission in history, and it was for you. If you want to respond to that stirring in your soul, to know Jesus a little better, please take a moment and check out our show notes, where you’ll find lots of hope and encouragement for your journey.

The Bible for Busy people is brought to you this Christmas season by Seattle’s Union Gospel Mission. Every day and every night, their team is on a mission to share the good news with our neighbors who are homeless. Like the angels who came on the night, Jesus was born. They make sure that every person who walks through the doors of the Mission knows that there is hope because Jesus came, and how much He loves them. Every person they meet on the street encounters the love of Christ through a friendly smile, a warm blanket, a cup of cocoa, and an invitation to take that next step toward healing from addiction or mental illness. If you want to be part of making sure every soul knows its worth in Seattle this Christmas, volunteer or donate at ugm.org. Thank you and Merry Christmas.

This podcast is one branch of a Christmas tree called Purposely, a network designed to connect you with life-giving conversations, and to inspire you to find and live out God’s purpose for your life. If you’ve got a pulse, you’ve got a purpose.