Luke and the Forgotten Miracle

Matthew tells the story of the birth of a king.  It is framed by the Royal Genealogy of Jesus and followed by the Visit of the Magi, wise men or kings from the East.  Great things are happening. 

Luke’s treatment of the Christmas story is altogether different.

Because Luke is writing this story for somebody else.  He is running down the eyewitness accounts of Jesus and his life in order to write the best biographical narrative that he can.  He wants to put down the whole truth, verified by his own work and discovery. 

And the birth of Jesus is foretold by the birth of John the baptizer.  Just as the ministry of Jesus was preceded by John, so too is Jesus’ birth.  It is a miracle story.  But when it comes to Christmas, we systematically chop out the parts mentioning  Zechariah and Elizabeth.  Doesn’t seem to matter that the angel appeared to Zechariah before he appeared to Mary.  Doesn’t seem to matter that a woman of old age, barren throughout her life, is suddenly found to be pregnant with a child who, while still in the womb, jumps at the presence of Mary, the mother of Jesus.

We know the story of the angels appearing to the shepherds, with the multitude of the heavenly host, but their story is left out.  The drama of a man who doubts God and, as punishment, has his ability to speak taken away, is something quite novel.  In Matthew, there are seventeen verses before we get to the Birth Narrative.  In Luke, there are 80! 

So what?  What’s the big deal?

The big deal is the parallel.  John the baptizer comes before Jesus at birth as well as at the beginning of his ministry.  They were related, contemporaries, aged within a year or so of each other.  Their lives are intertwined. 

When John shows up baptizing at the River Jordan, the leaders of the Israelites ask if he is Elijah.  Gabriel told Zechariah, “He will go before (Jesus) in the spirit and power of Elijah”.  When God starts a rumor…

The take away is this.  Christmas is too often focused on the baby in the manger.  Such an image of innocence and wonder is integral to the experience of the Season, but we must also remember the grand pageantry, the design of God to create around the birth of His Only Begotten Son a tapestry of miracle and power that shall mark the life and work of Jesus.