“…God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong;  God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.  And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption." -1 Corinthians 1: 27-30

One of the wonderful things about Christmas is how easy it is to put ourselves in the places of the people in the story. Mary, Joseph, one of the shepherds in the field—these were not extraordinary people outside of the events of Christ’s arrival in their lives. They were simple people living their simple lives when God chose to not only include them in the story of Christmas, but to reveal His Son to them in a truly personal and intimate way. 

Throughout the Bible, God chose to work in the lives of unlikely people. 

Noah, Moses, King David—each of these now-beloved characters of Scripture were simple, ordinary people before God did something extraordinary in their lives. It is a beautiful pattern that God paints throughout all of human history in choosing not the most spectacular or well-known people, but rather choosing those who have a willing heart to hear from Him.

It truly was the most ordinary of people who were the first to hear of the soon-coming birth of Jesus, and those with simple faith who saw Jesus, God With Us, for the very first time. The reward for faith and humility in these men and women was, perhaps, one of the greatest “reveals” of all time: the arrival of the Messiah! In choosing humble people, the glory of God shines all the more brightly throughout the events that led to the birth of Jesus.

This week as we look more closely at the people God chose to include in the story of Christmas, I pray we are able to see ourselves there, too. As we live our sometimes simple, ordinary lives, may we, too, have hearts that are willing to hear when God speaks. And remember that as we humbly follow Him, that is when we get the up-close view of the glorious love of God and of Jesus, Himself.

If you are enjoying this Advent Devotional, you can pick up a copy of the book at our Sunday Services during the month of December or purchase your own keepsake copy of this published book by clicking below. We would also love to have you join us for our Christmas series at Redemption Church on Sunday mornings at 10am! For more information, click the links below.