Think of how many times one person
has called another to say, "Great news. We had a baby a
few hours ago." Then comes the litany of questions. "Boy
or girl? Name? How big? How's the mother? Who does the
baby look like?"
As far as we can tell Mary and Joseph did not get to have this
experience with relatives and friends. They were away from home
when Jesus was born. Maybe the innkeeper's wife was around
but that was about it. There were no phones or computer messages
complete with pictures. Joseph wasn't handing out cigars.
Mary was probably doing her best to adjust to motherhood no doubt
both excited and a little scared all at the same time.
However, there is another character involved in this story—the
Creator of the universe, God Almighty. God had something to say
and someone to say it for Him. God was present in all God's
Glory—God decided the Good News would be shared with
ordinary people, nameless people, marginalized people. Who better
to hear Good News than ones who had so little of it? So God came
in all of God's Glory to some unsuspecting shepherds. God's
Light brightened the darkness to which the shepherds had grown
accustomed.
Before they were completely terrified the shepherds were reassured
by God's angel. "Don't be afraid! Good News!
Great joy! A new baby is born! A Savior! The Messiah! The Lord!" Then
there was a multitude of heavenly beings singing and praising
God. Then just as suddenly they were gone. The first announcement
had been made.
The shepherds didn't just roll over, shrug their shoulders
and say "Big deal, another baby!" They knew something
different was going on and they had to see it first-hand. They
weren't far from Bethlehem, so off they went, somehow knowing
the specific location. Once they saw that indeed a baby had been
born they shared with his parents what had happened to them earlier. "Guess
what your son is going to be? A Savior, God's Anointed
One, the Lord." They could barely talk fast enough. "You
wouldn't believe it—bright lights, beautiful voices—we've
never seen or heard anything like it." By now some others
must have been present and wondering if the shepherds hadn't
been into the wine a little too much. How could this baby born
to these poor people in such humble surroundings ever come close
to being anything like what the shepherds were saying? They must
be relatives who enjoy exaggerating a little.
Mary, the baby's mother, paid attention to everything
being said, treasuring every word and wondering what they meant.
After congratulations and best wishes the shepherds were gone
and quiet returned to the family who were no doubt exhausted
by the events of the past few hours.
But the shepherds weren't finished. Who could blame them?
Something like this doesn't happen every night. They couldn't
stop talking to each other. "That was some light, wasn't
it? No! I wasn't afraid. Did you hear that singing? How
many voices do you think there were? That baby's mother
sure looked young, didn't she? His father sure looked stunned,
didn't he?"
One by one the shepherds became quiet as they sat huddled around
their little fire. Finally someone spoke, "What do you
think it all means?"
Isn't that a question for this morning as well? What does
all of this mean for us and how are we supposed to respond to
it? I believe it means God loves us and wants us to know that.
We can easily say this but fully understanding and accepting
what it means is an entirely different matter.
The birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus should somehow
mean our lives are different. We are people who belong to the
Creator of the universe. We are created in the Creator's
image which means we are made of the same stuff. Remember how
people ask who a baby looks life? Well, you and I are supposed
to resemble God in how we think and act.
In the birth of Jesus we see God is not interested in stuff
but in relationships. We see that God is truly concerned for
those the world passes by, ignores and leaves out. We need to
study this Jesus very carefully for in Him we see how we are
to live our lives.
And, we are to tell others about him. Whenever there is a birth
in our family we send announcements. We email, we call and we
tell those around us. We give all the details and show pictures
because we are excited and feel a special connection and love.
We should do no less for this child. And in the end we need to
tell others this child grew to be a man who loved others so deeply
He gave His life for them. He died so others could have the opportunity
to live eternally. That's Good News! That's worth
sharing! That's what this day means—Christmas—the
Day of Christ—the Anointed One of God—God in
the flesh—God with us—Savior—Lord—Prince
of Peace—King—Almighty God. We come to
celebrate your birth and to ask you to be born in us today as
we long for your coming again. |
