Week 18: Responses to Christmas
Week 18: Responses to Christmas
Whenever we think or speak of Christmas, we have in mind that epoch-making event by which God the eternal Son became a human being in Jesus Christ. But God went beyond the event to its announcement to the world. So now the question is how the world responded. We have already seen how the shepherds responded. This week we will consider other responses—by the Magi, Herod the Great, Simeon, and by later church leaders like the apostles Paul and John. Their responses were varied, ranging from acceptance to rejection, from the Magi’s desire to worship Jesus to Herod’s determination to destroy him. One might even say that the whole New Testament consists of responses to God’s mighty act in Jesus Christ.
Sunday: The Visit of the Magi
Monday: The Rage of Herod
Tuesday: The Flight into Egypt
Wednesday: The Song of Simeon
Thursday: The Testimony of Paul
Friday: The Reflection of John
Saturday: The Challenge of John