The Daily Guide
The Christmas Narrative
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped.
2 Timothy 3:16 - 17 - NKJV
Who came to the stable to greet the Saviour newly born? And who didn't get there that soon? Bible reading is exciting because there is no end to the discoveries you make as you keep exploring. Likewise, it can be startling what we miss! We read a passage year after year and still fail to see the obvious. How much we need the Holy Spirit. May He open our eyes and teach us as we read. Joh.16:13.
I'm reading an Advent-themed book in which the author takes a close look at the characters involved in the Christmas narrative. I've been especially blessed by his look at the shepherds. He clearly knows much scripture and has access to a wealth of historical background information. In spite of this, with the wise men he drops a clanger - he places them in the stable greeting the Saviour newly born. Traditional Christmas plays obviously got the better of him. Although he must have read the story in scripture countless times it seems he always missed a key word. The word is "house". Matthew tells us the wise men arrived in Bethlehem "when they came into the house" they saw the young Child with Mary. It seems likely Jesus was a toddler before the wise men got there. Mat.2:11.
I'm writing this not to criticise the author but to startle you. We all need startling about scripture so that we stay awake and alert when we read it. You need to read the Bible with a readiness to be surprised, a readiness to be shown something fresh you've never seen before. Read with the Holy Spirit as your tutor. Read vigilant against tradition blinding your eyes to some words and adding in words elsewhere. Read as if the ink was still wet from the writer's pen and you had just come in from the next room to read it.
May the Gospel story excite you today
Copyright © 2008 P.F. (Simon) Measures
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