What does Luke tell us about Christmas?

Luke — a video teaching

Luke has carefully researched the events around Christ’s birth — and he starts with the events around Jesus’ cousin’s birth — the miraculous birth of John.

Literally, that means “God-lover”. He could have been a wealthy patron, or it might have been a group of people. What if Greek Christians, before they were called Christians called themselves Theophilians?

He writes about Caesar Augustus and Quirinus being the governor of Syria. His genealogy goes from Joseph all the way back to Adam.

The Greeks he was writing to were more accustomed to stories of the gods interacting with humans and so would be interested in angelic encounters.

He writes about the angel coming to Zachariah who didn’t believe He could become a father and so had his mouth shut until the prophecy was fulfilled. Luke talks about everything Mary hid in her heart about Gabriel’s visit.

He reveals the story of the shepherd in the field keeping watch over their flocks by night

He includes women — Elizabeth, Mary. He includes the outcasts like the Shepherds. He includes the elderly — Simeon, Zechariah, Anna.

Luke was writing to Greek speaking believers who needed to know the Jewish Messiah was for them. You don’t have to be born into the right family. You don’t need to be the top of society. You don’t need to be a man to be loved by God.

Luke reminds us that Jesus came for everyone. Not just the Jews. Not just the righteous. Not just the important. Not just those you would expect.

It means that everything you’ve done…before you became a Christian or even after you named the name of Christ, is covered by His blood. His grace is sufficient for you. You can’t mess up too much for God. Your sin did not surprise Him or disgust Him.

And yet He calls you out.

Paul says in 1 Corinthians 15:10

Don’t let His grace be without effect in you.

Paul says in Philippians 3:16

By the grace of God you can.

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