Christmas: Changed by a Few Words

A disgruntled comment changes the comfortable temperature in a room to an icy one, while a baby’s first words are a delight. We know that we can sail on humor and encouraging words for days. Words of correction sting, and words of advice lead us to decisions.

Words influence and have the power to change us, especially Christmas words.

Words at the Christmas season echo around us. Whether reading a Christmas greeting from a long distance friend, or words spoken and sung in a children’s Christmas program, words carry meaning.

The Christmas story represents a plethora of words. Each encounter and dialogue has a purpose. Let’s look at the familiar words in Luke 1 that changed hearts, the course of history, and can change us. Share on X

Words of life-altering-redirection

With a few words  a woman’s life was changed when an angel, told her she was going to be the chosen virgin to bear the savior of the world. (Luke 1:28-37)

“God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee,  to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary.  The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be.  But the angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God.  You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus.  He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David,  and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.’”

Words of encouragement and affirmation

Following news she would bear a son, Mary traveled to see Elizabeth who gave words of affirmation and encouragement (Luke 1: 40-45)

“At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth.  When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.  In a loud voice she exclaimed: ‘Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear!  But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.  Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!’”

Words of worship

Elizabeth’s words influenced Mary to erupt in words of worship despite her dramatic life change.

“And Mary said: ‘My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful  of the humble state of his servant.’” (Luke 1:46-47)

Words of inconvenience

With a few words from Caesar Augustus, Mary and Joseph packed up for a long trip to be part of a census.  A very pregnant young woman traveled in the most uncomfortable time of her life.

“In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world.  (This was the first census that took place while[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria.)  And everyone went to their own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David.  He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.”  (Luke 2: 1-4) 

Words leading to a change of plans and direction

With a few words, an innkeeper says there’s no room and directs a discouraged and tired couple to a filthy barn where a young teenager gives birth to a baby.

“….and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.” (Luke 2:7)

Words of wonder

Startled by few words, shepherds were diverted from watching their sheep at night and traveled to see the baby, the one they heard about who would be the savior of the world.

“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.  But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”  Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”  When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.’ So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.  When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 1 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. (Luke 2: 11-18)

No words

Mary remembers and ponders, but keeps her words to herself.

“But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.” (Luke 2:19)

Words have the power to change us in a matter of minutes. Take a few minutes from your busy holiday schedule and open the Scriptures. What do you need to find today-encouragement, wonder, wisdom, worship? Whatever God’s personal words are to us, may we follow Mary’s example, “my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.”

In a few words, tell us how words have changed you. 

 The Christmas season is especially difficult for grievers. As one who knows grief during the holidays, I wrote Hope for Widows: Reflections on Mourning, Living, and Change. It is available for pre-order on Amazon. Consider offering words of hope to a widow and gifting a copy to her.

 

This is my last post for December. I wish you all a Christmas filled with peace and joy.