| First
Reading | Psalm | Epistle | Gospel |
| Isaiah
9:2-7 | | Titus
2:11-14 | Luke
2:1-20 |
It
all involved the search for security, really. The Roman army of occupation was
there on the frontier to protect the empire’s interest. The tax collectors
and their methodical census takers served to ensure a steady stream of income
so the soldiers could be paid. Herod the puppet king who lived in a fortress surrounded
by nervous body guards, employed numerous spies constantly on the alert to pick
up any sign of threat to his throne. At the other end of social scale from the
Roman enforcers and Herod and his bureaucracy, were shepherds, assigned to protect
flocks from poachers and an occasional wolf. Miles away at a desert were a motley
group of researchers studying their star charts, confident that their observations
would lead them to a royal nursery where a great world king would be born. Their
discovery undoubtedly would grant them prestige, tenure and a comfortable salary.
Mary and Joseph had more immediate needs. They searched for a safe haven for the
night, a simple resting place, some water, and protection from the cold, where
Mary could give birth to her first child
It all involved a search for security, by
very different people, on varied levels, revealing of course, a very insecure
world. Yet into the midst of it all, a profound change took place. The messenger’s
first words announcing this event were “do not fear." I would suggest
that was not because of any loud heavenly electronic music that accompanied the
messenger or the suddenness of their appearance. After all these shepherds were
pretty rough characters themselves and were ready for surprise attacks by thieves.
They would hardly have been intimidated by a choir holding hymn books. I would
suggest that angels first said “Fear Not” because Christmas really begins
with God calling us out of the perpetual search and the unrelenting pursuit of
security, and that is scary enough.
Both Joseph and Mary knew that God had plans
for them and the child, and whatever the future held, it was not going to be under
normal circumstances. Their own family and their neighbors in their village were
likely to wonder, to become suspicious, and some who ordinarily would support
them, might very well condemn them. Mary and Joseph had good reason to be afraid.
The
shepherds who left their flocks, in a real sense, walked off their posts. They
did something no guard is supposed to do. Presumably other shepherds agreed to
watch the sheep as they went into town. Nevertheless, they risked getting fired.
The Magi, a part of the grand story by a
different author, would come later, but first the star would change their search
entirely, They originally set out to Herod’s palace. One wonders what risk
they took in confronting Herod with the truth and getting away alive. Herod was
a mighty suspicious tyrant and could have well imprisoned the Magi and made sure
that they never would be heard from. The Magi put aside their fears, and then
altered their search. Make no mistake about, if the Magi had been told initially
they their quest would end in front of a stable containing a poor baby of peasant
stock, they would have scorned such a search and given it up entirely.
Genuine change, and pivotal revelations all
involve risks, of leaving our own little shell behind to find something greater.
Hence the shepherds did not stay in their fields, Mary and Joseph did not stay
in Nazareth or the Magi follow the route of their trip tik. Staying at home surrounded
by the security of our expertise, protected by the fortress of all our pretensions,
blocks out the wonder, the joy and the promise of this night.
It is not about more or better security that
the angels sang. It was about good news, tidings of joy, for the whole earth.
The original Christmas story faces all the fears of the would, be it political
muscle or economic forces, and movements we are completely unaware of or helpless
to effect. While they impinge upon people of faith, they do not ultimately frustrate
God’s lover for humanity. That is why the Christmas message was soon paired
with the words of the ancient prophets that told of bars of iron snapping, yokes
overthrown and of mountains being leveled. The Angel’s song was the harbinger
of chaos to those who wanted everything left and protected as it was.
Christmas is about birth, about leaving the
warmth and protection of the womb and going out into the world, willing to confront
all the world might throw. “Fear Not!”, The angels exclaim to all of
us ready to be born. Fear not, for the light of a new star still shines. Come
closer, and let go. Take on the risk of bearing the message of Christmas. Take
a risk to discover the new birth of God within you and among you.
And
I offer this to you in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Amen.
