Loving God, you turned the world upside down in the birth of your Son, Jesus.  In the midst of all of the Christmas trappings, help us to see the truth of your love for us and your salvation; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

    There is an ad of some sort that has been on TV lately, and it begins with these words: “Christmas is all about family.”  While I have no idea what it is actually advertising, I have caught myself talking back to it on several occasions.  Christmas is all about family?  “No,” I say back to it.  “No... I’m pretty sure that it’s not.”  And then I add, “No wonder so many people find Christmas depressing!”

    Now lest you think I am merely siding with the Grinch here, consider some of the main participants in the Christmas story.  Mary and Joseph were certainly not with their family, or even with friends.  In fact, they were far from home, and having their first child, and laying him in a feed trough in Bethlehem because nobody else had room for them.  As for the shepherds, they had to work that night.  And the magi were quite likely out in the desert somewhere, having left their families behind in order to go and worship a newborn king.

    So... no – none of this would lead me to believe that Christmas is all about family – at least, assuming that we are talking about celebrating the birth of Jesus.  Perhaps we could say that it’s all about the birth of hope in a world that was yearning for a Saviour.  Perhaps we could say that it’s about the light in the darkness, and new life in the midst of death.  Perhaps we could even say that it’s all about giving, as we witness God giving to us the greatest gift of all.

    At the same time, we could say that Christmas is about hospitality to strangers, as Mary and Joseph welcome first some shepherds, and then later on some well-traveled magi!  Or we could say that Christmas is about sharing good news and praising God – just like the angels to the shepherds and then the shepherds to everybody else who would listen.

    However, the most amazing thing about Christmas goes way beyond the angels or the shepherds or even Mary and Joseph.  For the promise of this child who lies in the manger is that God is with us.  God has dared to be born in human flesh, as a fragile little baby entrusted to a young mother and her faithful husband.  God has dared to come and share in all that it means to be human – from birth to death, including laughter and sorrow, hard work and rest, hunger and feasting, community and solitude.

    And so, whether you have a big family or a small family, a loving family or a dysfunctional family, a close family or a far away family, or even no family at all, God has come, through Jesus Christ, for you.  And whatever it is that you might be going through, Jesus knows what it is like, and continues to be Emmanuel – God with us.  The only exception is sin, for Jesus experienced all of the same temptations as we do, but without sinning.  However, he does take confessed sin, and wipes the slate clean, and gives us forgiveness and salvation in return.

    The thing is that through Jesus a new kind of community was formed that transcends family units and tribal loyalty.  In this community, all are welcome – especially those who have lived their lives as outcasts.  This includes shepherds, who were mistrusted and avoided by religious leaders.  This includes Gentiles like the magi, who were hated by many.  This includes the lepers and the blind and the lame – all those who had previously been excluded from the community of faith.

    And so, this Christmas, look beyond your own family, or lack thereof.  Look beyond all of the Christmas myths to Jesus, whose birth was “good news of great joy for all the people” (Lk. 2:10).  And then be aware of the new community into which God has called you – the one that includes friends and strangers, Jews and Gentiles, men and women, rich and poor.  For God’s love is for all people, just as Jesus came to be Saviour of the world.  Thanks be to God!  Amen.

Christmas Eve (NL 1)                            Luke 2:1-20
December 24, 2014
St. Luke’s Zion Lutheran Church
Pastor Lynne Hutchison

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