I’ve been captivated by the preposition, unto, and the very familiar pronouns, us, you, me of the Christmas story this Advent.

Unto, another archaic word, a preposition that leads to the personal pronouns. Pronouns that tell me that the Christmas narrative is a gift for me — a gift for you!

Thank you Marie for posting this on FB.

“The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light:
they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, unto them
hath the light shined …
For unto us a child is born,
unto us a son is given:”
Isaiah 9:2 and 6, KJV (italics mine)

The people who walked in darkness are the ones who have scorned the invitation of the gospel. But the Light (Jesus) has continued to come to them. Because unto us, all of us, the Light continually comes. God is always initiating.

Every day the gospel invites. Every day I choose — will I keep looking at my surrounding circumstances, or will I trust truth. The choice is for all of us.

“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior
who is Christ the Lord.”
Luke 2:11, ESV (italics mine)

Gabriel’s words are directed to a smaller group, a group of shepherds. Unto you, shepherds, a Savior has been born. The shepherds trusted.

Like for the shepherds, the Savior has been born for me, and for you. This thought brings a big smile.

And God often gets even more personal.

“… Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.”
“And behold you will conceive in your womb and bear a son …”
“… You shall call his name Jesus.”
“… The Holy Spirit will come upon you
and the power of the Most High will overshadow you:“
” … let it be to me …”
Luke 1:30, 31, 35, and 38, ESV (italics mine)

This time Gabriel is speaking only to Mary. The you is a singular pronoun. Mary recognizes truth and with great humility responds, let it be to me. Mary knew she was hearing from God personally.

Those are the words, the personal words, that often get recorded in my journal. It’s easy to forget and I want to, need to remember. Those words lead to great joy.

I was meeting with a friend for lunch recently. I knew she had walked through some very tough stuff. My heart was to love her well, to encourage her. Yet I was questioning. Earlier that morning as I was making coffee, my eyes rested on this truth that I have standing above my kitchen sink, “Greetings, O favored one (greatly loved one), the Lord is with you.” (Luke 1:28, italics mine) That morning those words were the pronouns, the truth I needed to hear, I needed to trust. Big exhale. It was a message for me. They led me to faith and to joy.

Leslie Weatherhead, an English theologian and author wrote, “the opposite of joy is not sorrow. It is unbelief.” Believing Luke 1:28 planted a seed of joy. It was joy because I experienced the joy Jesus reminded me of, the Lord is with you (me). I trusted the gospel.

“And the angel said to them,
‘Fear not, for behold I bring you good news of great joy
that will be for all the people.'”
Luke 2:10

Unto us, unto you (plural), unto you (singular), the Child was born!

May the joy of Christmas be your reality!

Copyright: Sue Tell, December 2024