【双语灵修】神的时间恰到好处GOD’S PERFECT TIMING

路加福音2:6-7

他们在那里的时候，马利亚的产期到了， 就生了头胎的儿子，用布包起来，放在马槽里，因为客店里没有地方。

12月14日

神的时间恰到好处

「他们在那里的时候，马利亚的产期到了。……」 - 路加福音 2:6

圣诞节总是不期而至—尤其当我们日程爆满时。在北美等地，多数人要参加派对、布置装饰、采购礼物、吟唱颂歌。在这般忙碌中，圣诞日似乎来去匆匆，让我们几乎无暇驻足细心思量。

路加用极为简单的笔触记载了耶稣的降生：值得注意的是，他用五节经文描述了降生的时间顺序，仅用两节记载了诞生本身。路加这样记载：「马利亚的产期到了，就生了头胎的儿子。」

当主在圣诞来临，祂总是进入生活中的平凡场景。我们或许怀着盛大期待，基督却以简朴的方式来临。路加虽提及帝王与权贵，但神子降世时，我们只看见牛棚中的马槽、襁褓与婴孩。

或许圣诞节「不期而至」恰是好事，因为我们正需要它塑造并更新我们的生命。邀请基督进入生命无需特定时日或仪式—祂来临，只因时候到了。

今天，你是否正在等候祂呢？

祷告

主耶稣啊，我们活在忙忙碌碌的人世间。感谢你没有按我们的时间，却在恰当的时刻，进入我们的生命。求你帮助我们迎接你。阿们。

Luke 2:6-7

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 14

GOD’S PERFECT TIMING

While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born. . . . —Luke 2:6

Christmas has a way of sneaking up on us, especially if our schedules are full. For many of us in North America and other places, there are parties to attend, decorations to put up, presents to purchase, carols to sing. In such a busy time, Christmas Day can seem to come and go quickly, and it can seem that we have barely enough time to notice.

Luke describes the birth of Jesus in very simple terms. It’s worth noting that he spends five verses describing the timing of Jesus’ birth, and only two verses on the birth itself. “The time came for the baby to be born,” writes Luke, “and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son.”

When the Lord comes to us at Christmas, he comes into the ordinary events of life. We might have grand expectations, but Christ comes in simplicity. Luke may talk of emperors and world powers, but when God’s Son comes to live among us, we see a manger in a cattle stall, cloths, and a baby.

Maybe it’s good that Christmas can sneak up on us, because we need it to shape and transform the rest of our lives. It doesn’t take a special day or event to invite Christ into our lives. He comes simply because it’s time.

Are you watching for him today?

Lord Jesus, we live in a busy world. Thank you that Christmas does not depend on our timing, but that you step into our lives when the time is right. Help us to receive you.