Luke’s Counter-Cultural Christmas Story (Paul Penley)
Luke’s Counter-Cultural Christmas Story: Jesus’ path to peace and joy By Paul T. Penley Was Jesus born to save us from this world or bring peace to the earth? Luke’s counter-cultural Christmas story answers this question. What a Birth Means to a Mom For many of us the story of our birth doesn’t answer questions about the purpose of our life. Birth stories typically amount to no more than nostalgic moments at family gatherings. One parent (if you’re so blessed to have a relationship with one) smiles wide and recounts an anecdote for the hundredth time to the chagrin of all who must endure it. My mother is guilty of it all the time. Her favorite tale is my in utero umbilical cord trick. I had tied the cord in a knot while in the womb. When I popped out, the doctors knew I was a few good pulls away from starving myself. “It is a miracle he’s alive today,” my mom always says, normally adding, “God must have created him for an important purpo...