in those days…
The week has finally arrived. It’s Christmas. Two more sleeps ’til Christmas morning.
Today, I invite us to take a deep breath. Let’s try to unplug from the excitement that we build around Christmas. We typically associate Christmas morning with sentimental thoughts of family being together and the exchanging of gifts.
Take another breath. Let all the gift-giving, egg nog, and warm fuzzy feelings float to the back of your mind for a moment.
Let us look at the story found in Luke 2 once again. We’ll look at it in three installments this week. Today, read Luke 2:1-5.
If you are like me, it is hard not to hear these words in the voice of Linus from the Peanuts. His sweet little voice says, “in those days…” and I am lulled into a warm glow as I hear the familiar words wash over me.
Now, imagine the jarring chords of the Imperial March from Star Wars and the voice of Darth Vader reading these words. “In those days a decree went out from the Emperor…YOU WILL BE COUNTED!! Bwahahaha!”
We must remember that Joseph and Mary were poor people who had just been forcibly displaced from their homeland. An oppressive Empire coerced a pregnant women to travel over 70 miles, on foot, just so the Empire could count them and suck every last ounce of resources from their already depleted lives.
Joseph and Mary went to Bethlehem. The name means “the house of bread.” It was the ancestral home of David. He was the king to whom God promised there would always be a King from his house.
The Christmas story is a story of promise and hope in the midst of oppression and darkness.
Let us pray. Gracious God, give us the eyes to see all the people in the world today who suffer oppression at the hands of the powerful and greedy. Give us ears to hear the cry of those who have no power to help themselves. Give us courage to walk with Mary and Joseph in the hope of your promises for justice and peace on Earth. Amen.
Go now, my friends, into this week with the feet of Mary and Joseph. Walk with confidence that, no matter how dark things may feel, God’s promises are faithful.