“THEY BROUGHT HIM TO JERUSALEM TO PRESENT HIM TO THE LORD.” —LUKE 2:22
During the biggest shopping season of the year, do you worry about not having enough resources to please and bless everyone on your list? It’s tempting to whip out the credit card and max it out so we can feel like we did right by everyone.
I feel the pressure too!
But as I say every year, I encourage you to stop and focus on the reason for the season, the baby who was born in an animal stable with a manger for a bed because there was no room at the inn. Shepherds in the fields, who were the poor and humble working class of their day, were the first to be told about the birthday of the Messiah, the Savior, the King of the universe!
The humbleness of it all and yet the glorious celebration that went on in the heavens is a reminder of what we are celebrating apart from the traditions of the holiday season.
I have recently been struck by something that happened shortly after Jesus was born.
Joseph and Mary, His earthly parents, were devout Jews who observed the customs and laws of their faith, including the dedication of the firstborn male child in the Temple.
Accordingly, they brought Jesus “to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord … and to offer a sacrifice… A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons “ (Luke 2:22-24).
Traditionally, the sacrifice was a lamb. But Leviticus 12:8 tells us that if they couldn’t afford a lamb, they were allowed to bring two doves or pigeons instead.
Pastor Chuck Smith commented, “The fact that Mary and Joseph brought birds instead of a lamb reveals their poverty…. Jesus wasn’t born in the lap of luxury.”
The Lord honored their sacrifice, poor as it was, and Jesus was blessed as “A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles and the glory of Your people Israel” (Luke 2:32).
I hope this encourages you. The most important birth in the history of the world was poor in the riches of the world, but oh so rich in its significance to all of humanity.
Love humbly came to the world, blessing us beyond measure. So try not to worry about what you can or cannot afford. Bask in the Light of the world and the love you give freely to those who need to know the love of God as the greatest gift.
