Loving God, you continue to work in mysterious ways, causing us at times to question you and at times to stop in wonder and amazement.  No matter what circumstances we might be in tonight, help us to meet you here and to know the depth of your love for us; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

    When it comes to the birth of Jesus, each of the gospel writers includes the details that they believe to be important.  Mark doesn’t include anything about the birth of Jesus.  John uses symbolic language, speaking about Jesus as the Word who “became flesh and lived among us” (Jn. 1:14) and the light shining in the darkness.  It is Matthew and Luke who supply a few more details, and tonight we have heard what was important to Luke.

    Hundreds of years before the birth of Jesus, the prophet Micah spoke about Bethlehem, saying “from you shall come forth for me one who is to rule in Israel, whose origin is from of old, from ancient days” (Mic. 5:2).  Thus, three of the gospels speak about Bethlehem as the birthplace of the Messiah, and more specifically, as the birthplace of Jesus.

    We are not told whether Jesus was born in a house, or in a stable, or in a cave.  What we are told is that he was placed in a manger.  This is mentioned several times in Luke.  In other words, his birth was in a place that housed animals.  We are not told the date.  We are not told his weight or how long he was.  We are simply told that his cradle was a feed box normally used for animals.  The one who would spend so much time among the poor and the outcast was born among the poor and the outcast.

    Another detail that is included by Luke is how the birth of Jesus was announced.  There were no cigars handed out.  There were no phone calls to family and friends.  Instead, this birth was announced by angels.  The angels were not sent to King Herod, or to the high priest, or to the religious leaders, or to the Roman emperor.  Instead, they showed up in a field nearby where some more outcasts were hanging out.  Shepherds were generally characterized as dishonest and Sabbath-breakers, and the average person wouldn’t trust a shepherd.  However, God chooses shepherds as the first to receive the good news that a Saviour has been born.

    I have often heard people speak about God’s preferential option for the poor, and nowhere is this more obvious than in what we are told about the birth of Jesus.  It is a humble birth, taking place in humble surroundings, and announced to humble shepherds.  The message is there, over and over again, that Jesus came for all people, and especially for those who are most in need.

    It strikes me that when we put together the humble circumstances of Jesus’ birth and some of the amazing words that we heard from Isaiah tonight, we get quite a striking picture of how great the humility of Jesus really was in coming to live among us.  The child who is described by Isaiah is given a number of different names, two of which particularly stand out.  Did you notice that this child is referred to as “Mighty God” and “Everlasting Father” (Isa. 9:6)?  Doesn’t it sound as though God has actually come to live among us? – Not in a spectacular flash of lightning – not in some sort of heavenly chariot with guns blazing – but by being born as a human child in the humblest of circumstances, vulnerable to the same dangers as all other human beings, and needing the care of others in order to grow to adulthood.

    What better way for the Son of God to share the experiences of all people, from the least right up to the greatest.  And what better way for God to be truly with us.  And so, no matter what it is that you might be living through this Christmas, Jesus came for you.  He is with us in joy and in sorrow, in sickness and in health.  He is with us when we have plenty and he is with us when we don’t have enough.  He is with us when we are ridiculed or bullied, and he is with us when we are surrounded by those who care.  He is with us when we are struggling, and he is with us when our faith is strong.

    “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light” (Isa. 9:2).  May the light of Christ continue to shine through us and to shed light on our path as God journeys with us through the darkness of this world.  Amen.

The Nativity of Our Lord (Christmas Eve)                Luke 2:1-20
December 24, 2013                            Isaiah 9:2-7
St. Luke’s Zion Lutheran Church
Pastor Lynne Hutchison

© 2013 Lynne Hutchison  All Rights Reserved