December 26 | Luke 2:1-20

Daily Reading

Luke 2:1-20

Reflection

Joy for All Nations

By Gene Pierce

Luke beautifully tells the story of Jesus’ birth in a crescendo of facts, climaxing with the angels announcing this Child would “bring good news of great joy that will be for all the people.” 

As someone who is a blend of German, Irish and English DNA, I am very, very, very happy to be part of “all the people.”  (No doubt you are very happy, too.)

This global blessing was fulfilled in humble ways.

God also fulfilled His promise through the unintended aid of the powerful, in yet another proof that God’s ways are not our ways.

To catch tax dodgers and get more money to fund Roman armies and public works, the pagan Caesar Augustus ordered the census that sent Jesus to Bethlehem. 

God used a Roman governor to give the order to crucify Jesus, fulfilling Jesus’ role as the Suffering Servant and Redeemer of Isaiah’s prophecies.

After Jesus’ resurrection, the apostles traveled via the Roman Empire’s roads and seaports to share the gospel in Jewish synagogues around the Mediterranean, where descendants of exiles were still looking for a Messiah.

It would take generations, but eventually the gospel came to my German, Irish and English ancestors, too.  This was achieved in part by Roman Christians who had been captured and enslaved by pagan Germanic warriors when they brought down the Roman Empire.

God continues to use every means to fulfill His promise that “all the nations will be blessed.”  

You can join Him in His work today by supporting Christian ministries working around the world – and by reaching out to the thousands from “the nations” who have come here to live and work beside us. 

International Friendships, ESL classes and people we encounter every day are all opportunities to share God’s grace.

Each of us can join God in fulfilling His amazing promise to bless all the nations.

OUR PRAYER:

Lord, fulfill Your will through me.  Tell me where You want me to go, who You want me to befriend and what You want me to say. Whether it’s to the humble or the high and mighty, let me be an instrument of Your blessing to “all the people.”

Gene is a long time member of UALC and our International Missions Committee and a former Council member, still learning how to balance life, work and faith. Gene and his wife Elaine are blessed to be parents of four and grandparents of nine.