The Christmas story is unfolding as we progress through Advent. Today you will find us in Luke, chapter 13.

Did your parents ever tell you stories before bedtime? My mother read me stories by Thornton Burgess, a series of books that each featured a different animal in the forest and meadow. Reddy Fox tried to catch Peter Rabbit, Grandfather Frog pontificated wisdom, and Bowser the Hound chased Happy Jack Squirrel.

We all love stories. In fact, even when my step-mom was 96 and in nursing care, she loved stories. Before she died, I called her each day to read a chapter of Luke’s gospel to her aloud.

Jesus often told stories to his disciples and the crowds. He used parables, simple stories, to communicate complex truths about God’s Kingdom. He could have given a theological discourse on predestination and freewill, but he knew that truth is best absorbed through stories. And in chapter 13, we find four more parables, one of which is unique to this gospel: the parable of the fig tree. This is a story about patience and mercy.

Where did Jesus learn to tell stories? Is it possible that, when Jesus was a small boy, Joseph told his son about the battle between David and Goliath? Or before tucking Jesus into bed, did Mary recount the events of Jonah and the whale? We don’t know about those bedtime stories, but we do know Mary told Luke plenty of stories about the birth of her son.

Why not call a child, a grandparent or a friend and read the Christmas story to them today?