And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Luke 2:7

It was go time in heaven. The ultimate, “Let’s do this people” moment, with angelic actors scurrying about behind the scenes. But what, this fantastic news dispatched to lowly shepherds? Are you kidding me? But the angels’ instructions came from on high.

The scene quickly transitioned from the lowly manger to the lonely fields, now illuminated by a gleaming  unnamed angel messenger (why not Gabriel?) who outshined that unusually large star in the sky.

But that’s God’s style, to pass on the high and mighty, and use the most unlikely actors in the most unlikely settings. Like a lowly virgin and lowly carpenter from lowly Nazareth huddled around a lowly manger with a lowly baby.

But it makes perfect sense when you think about the remarkable purpose of the incarnation: for the Son of God to step out of heaven, shedding his regal robe for swaddling clothes, to bring himself low, in order to meet lowly me face to face, where I am, to lift me up.

It’s hard to believe, but that’s the real story of Christmas.

Glory to God in the highest!