December 21, 2025 at 7:35 AM

This Is How We Should Read the Christmas Story

Saint Augustine

@SaintAugustine

To read this bio, please join Ricochet.

25 4

Think about this for a moment:

A miracle baby is born to a couple too old to have children.
A son is born as a sign that God’s people will be redeemed.
Someone named Yeshua will lead God’s people into enjoyment of the blessings promised to Abraham.
A shepherd-king comes out of Bethlehem.
A wicked king tries to kill all the male babies, but one escapes: the one through whom redemption will come to God’s people.
God speaks through dreams to a man named Joseph, the son of Jacob, who comes to Egypt for the redemption of God’s people.

You may recognize these as the stories of Zechariah and Elizabeth and John the Baptist; of Mary and Jesus (in Hebrew, Yeshua); of the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem; of the escape from King Herod to Egypt; and of Joseph, the son of Jacob and husband of Mary.

These are also the stories of Abraham and Sarah and Isaac; of Isaiah; of Joshua (also Yeshua in Hebrew); of King David; of Pharaoh and Moses; and of Joseph, the son of Jacob and grandson of Isaac.

The characters in the Christmas story recorded in the early chapters of Matthew and Luke relive the stories of the redemption of God’s people. In this way we see a confirmation that all the old stories were pointing to this story. This is how we need to see Christmas: as the beginning of a climax, the culmination of a long history of redemption, which begins with Adam and extends all the way to Mary.

Of course, a story that has been going on for a couple of millennia will have a climax that lasts a few years. It lasts about thirty, in fact, and the other end of it is captured in two other holidays: Good Friday and Easter, where some of the other stories of redemption are relived:

File:Gerard David - Adoration of the Kings - Google Art Project.jpg

The seed of the woman defeats Satan—the story of Eve, and the story of Mary.
A holy God must punish sin, but people can be saved through the wooden way God provides—the story of Noah’s ark, and the story of the Cross.
God tells his people how a lamb may die in their place for their sin—the story of the Passover, and the story of the Cross.
A prophet is in the darkness for three days. His message is a light to the Gentiles, a preaching of repentance and forgiveness of sins for them—the story of Jonah, and the story of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

The last prophet to hail the coming of the Christ, John the Baptist, sums it all up nicely: “Behold the lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world!”

(A post from ThinkingThroughChristianity.com back when that was a thing.)

This post was promoted to the Main Feed at the recommendation of Ricochet's members.

MODERATOR

To read this bio, please join Ricochet.

Painter Jean@PainterJean42w

Here's another beautiful instance of the story of salvation being relived and perfected in the New Covenant: After the Philistines realized that the Ark was toxic to them and they needed to get rid of it ASAP, they sent it back to David with some gift offerings. David went out to retrieve the Ark, and while moving it a man named Uzzah was struck dead when he touched the Ark to steady it. David was fearful and said, “How can the Ark of the Lord come to me?” He left the Ark in the hill country of Judea for three months. When he brought it to the City of David, we are told that David danced and leapt in front of the Ark and everyone shouted for joy (2 Samuel 6:9-14).

Then, in Luke 1:39-45, we have this: "In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a city of Judah, and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And why is this granted me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For behold, when the voice of your greeting came to my ears, the babe in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.” Mary stayed in the hill country of Judea for three months. Elizabeth's “Why is this granted me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” is filled with joy - David's “How can the Ark of the Lord come to me?” is probably fearful, but that speaks to the higher perfection in the New Testament. And, the Ark goes to Jerusalem, where God’s presence and glory is revealed in the temple (2 Samuel 6:12; 1 Kings 8:9-11). Mary goes to Jerusalem, where she presents God incarnate in the temple (Luke 1:56; 2:21-22).

The old Ark contained the stone tablets (law), manna (bread from heaven) and Aaron's rod (priesthood). Mary’s womb contained the Lawgiver, the Bread of Life come down from heaven that brings eternal life, and the eternal High Priest. There's also the Holy Spirit overshadowing the Ark and the Holy Spirit overshadowing Mary. There's a lovely quote from the third century saint, St. Gregory the Wonder Worker: “Let us chant the melody that has been taught us by the inspired harp of David, and say, ‘Arise, O Lord, into thy rest; thou, and the ark of thy sanctuary.’ For the Holy Virgin is in truth an ark, wrought with gold both within and without, that has received the whole treasury of the sanctuary.” And from Athanasius: "You are the ark in which is found the golden vessel containing the true manna, that is, the flesh in which divinity resides.”

This also speaks to the perpetual virginity of Mary: One doesn't reuse something, once it's been set apart and dedicated to God, for ordinary purposes. You don't even touch it, as Uzzah found out the hard way.

To read this bio, please join Ricochet.
Blue Suede Shoes@OldDanRhody42w
Saint Augustine (View Post):
These are also the stories . . . of Pharaoh and Moses

Don't forget King Herod, killing the male infants.
EDIT: Oh, I see you didn't.
To read this bio, please join Ricochet.
Scott Wilmot@ScottWilmot42w
There is a treasure trove of Scripture and homilies contained in the Liturgy of the Hours. Advent has one of the greatest collections, and this homily by St. Bernard from today’s Office of Readings is one of the best. Mary plays a large role in the Second Readings throughout Advent. Mary, Co-Redemptrix, ora pro nobis.
From a homily In Praise of the Virgin Mother by Saint Bernard, abbot
The whole world awaits Mary’s reply
You have heard, O Virgin, that you will conceive and bear a son; you have heard that it will not be by man but by the Holy Spirit. The angel awaits an answer; it is time for him to return to God who sent him. We too are waiting, O Lady, for your word of compassion; the sentence of condemnation weighs heavily upon us.
The price of our salvation is offered to you. We shall be set free at once if you consent. In the eternal Word of God we all came to be, and behold, we die. In your brief response we are to be remade in order to be recalled to life.
Tearful Adam with his sorrowing family begs this of you, O loving Virgin, in their exile from Paradise. Abraham begs it, David begs it. All the other holy patriarchs, your ancestors, ask it of you, as they dwell in the country of the shadow of death. This is what the whole earth waits for, prostrate at your feet. It is right in doing so, for on your word depends comfort for the wretched, ransom for the captive, freedom for the condemned, indeed, salvation for all the sons of Adam, the whole of your race.
Answer quickly, O Virgin. Reply in haste to the angel, or rather through the angel to the Lord. Answer with a word, receive the Word of God. Speak your own word, conceive the divine Word. Breathe a passing word, embrace the eternal Word.
Why do you delay, why are you afraid? Believe, give praise, and receive. Let humility be bold, let modesty be confident. This is no time for virginal simplicity to forget prudence. In this matter alone, O prudent Virgin, do not fear to be presumptuous. Though modest silence is pleasing, dutiful speech is now more necessary. Open your heart to faith, O blessed Virgin, your lips to praise, your womb to the Creator. See, the desired of all nations is at your door, knocking to enter. If he should pass by because of your delay, in sorrow you would begin to seek him afresh, the One whom your soul loves. Arise, hasten, open. Arise in faith, hasten in devotion, open in praise and thanksgiving. Behold the handmaid of the Lord, she says, be it done to me according to your word.
MODERATOR
To read this bio, please join Ricochet.
Painter Jean@PainterJean42w
Here's another beautiful instance of the story of salvation being relived and perfected in the New Covenant: After the Philistines realized that the Ark was toxic to them and they needed to get rid of it ASAP, they sent it back to David with some gift offerings. David went out to retrieve the Ark, and while moving it a man named Uzzah was struck dead when he touched the Ark to steady it. David was fearful and said, “How can the Ark of the Lord come to me?” He left the Ark in the hill country of Judea for three months. When he brought it to the City of David, we are told that David danced and leapt in front of the Ark and everyone shouted for joy (2 Samuel 6:9-14).
Then, in Luke 1:39-45, we have this: "In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a city of Judah, and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And why is this granted me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For behold, when the voice of your greeting came to my ears, the babe in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.” Mary stayed in the hill country of Judea for three months. Elizabeth's “Why is this granted me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” is filled with joy - David's “How can the Ark of the Lord come to me?” is probably fearful, but that speaks to the higher perfection in the New Testament. And, the Ark goes to Jerusalem, where God’s presence and glory is revealed in the temple (2 Samuel 6:12; 1 Kings 8:9-11). Mary goes to Jerusalem, where she presents God incarnate in the temple (Luke 1:56; 2:21-22).
The old Ark contained the stone tablets (law), manna (bread from heaven) and Aaron's rod (priesthood). Mary’s womb contained the Lawgiver, the Bread of Life come down from heaven that brings eternal life, and the eternal High Priest. There's also the Holy Spirit overshadowing the Ark and the Holy Spirit overshadowing Mary. There's a lovely quote from the third century saint, St. Gregory the Wonder Worker: “Let us chant the melody that has been taught us by the inspired harp of David, and say, ‘Arise, O Lord, into thy rest; thou, and the ark of thy sanctuary.’ For the Holy Virgin is in truth an ark, wrought with gold both within and without, that has received the whole treasury of the sanctuary.” And from Athanasius: "You are the ark in which is found the golden vessel containing the true manna, that is, the flesh in which divinity resides.”
This also speaks to the perpetual virginity of Mary: One doesn't reuse something, once it's been set apart and dedicated to God, for ordinary purposes. You don't even touch it, as Uzzah found out the hard way.
MODERATOR
To read this bio, please join Ricochet.
Painter Jean@PainterJean42w
ReplyingtoScott Wilmot
Scott Wilmot (View Comment):
There is a treasure trove of Scripture and homilies contained in the Liturgy of the Hours. Advent has one of the greatest collections, and this homily by St. Bernard from today’s Office of Readings is one of the best. Mary plays a large role in the Second Readings throughout Advent. Mary, Co-Redemptrix, ora pro nobis.
From a homily In Praise of the Virgin Mother by Saint Bernard, abbot
The whole world awaits Mary’s reply
You have heard, O Virgin, that you will conceive and bear a son; you have heard that it will not be by man but by the Holy Spirit. The angel awaits an answer; it is time for him to return to God who sent him. We too are waiting, O Lady, for your word of compassion; the sentence of condemnation weighs heavily upon us.
The price of our salvation is offered to you. We shall be set free at once if you consent. In the eternal Word of God we all came to be, and behold, we die. In your brief response we are to be remade in order to be recalled to life.
Tearful Adam with his sorrowing family begs this of you, O loving Virgin, in their exile from Paradise. Abraham begs it, David begs it. All the other holy patriarchs, your ancestors, ask it of you, as they dwell in the country of the shadow of death. This is what the whole earth waits for, prostrate at your feet. It is right in doing so, for on your word depends comfort for the wretched, ransom for the captive, freedom for the condemned, indeed, salvation for all the sons of Adam, the whole of your race.
Answer quickly, O Virgin. Reply in haste to the angel, or rather through the angel to the Lord. Answer with a word, receive the Word of God. Speak your own word, conceive the divine Word. Breathe a passing word, embrace the eternal Word.
Why do you delay, why are you afraid? Believe, give praise, and receive. Let humility be bold, let modesty be confident. This is no time for virginal simplicity to forget prudence. In this matter alone, O prudent Virgin, do not fear to be presumptuous. Though modest silence is pleasing, dutiful speech is now more necessary. Open your heart to faith, O blessed Virgin, your lips to praise, your womb to the Creator. See, the desired of all nations is at your door, knocking to enter. If he should pass by because of your delay, in sorrow you would begin to seek him afresh, the One whom your soul loves. Arise, hasten, open. Arise in faith, hasten in devotion, open in praise and thanksgiving. Behold the handmaid of the Lord, she says, be it done to me according to your word.
Glad to know you do the Liturgy of the Hours, too, Scott! It is a very rich devotion.

Get the Ricochet app

Become a member.

This Is How We Should Read the Christmas Story

Discussion (4)