Shepards

Merry Christmas!

It is the second day of Christmas. By now, the excitement of opening presents and eating good food is a pleasant memory. I hope you enjoyed yourself.

Today we conclude our meditation on Luke 2:1-14. On Tuesday and Thursday we were reminded that this is not a sentimental, sweet children’s story. It is a dark story of violence and oppression. Jesus was born as a refugee amongst the animals.

Today we step outside the city walls of Bethlehem to the countryside and read Luke 2:8-14.

Verse 8. On Wednesday we noted that God chose to enter into the world in the lowest possible place: a stinky animal stall with refugee parents. The son of the Promise of God has been born. David’s heir is now here. It is time to announce the birth of the true king of Israel.

Where would you announce this news?

I probably wouldn’t go to a bunch of shepherds. The shepherds were the lowest of the working class. They were one step above the leper and the outcast. They hung around on the outskirts of civilization and smelled like sheep.

Verse 9. Yet, this is exactly where God’s messenger appeared.  

Verse 10. The Message: there is good news (aka, the Gospel) of great joy for ALL PEOPLE!

The emperor of Rome brought good news for the powerful people of Rome. He brought great wealth and power to them by oppressing everyone else. The true king of the world brings good news for ALL people. 

Verses 11-12. The emperor of Rome sits on his golden throne in the capital city. The true king lies in an animal’s feeding dish, wrapped in strips of common cloth, the child of oppressed refugees. This is your sign that points you to what God really cares about.

Verses 13-14. The word “host” literally means army. The Roman emperor took over the world with an army of soldiers that destroyed the countryside. They invaded, raped, pillaged, and violently stole that which was not theirs.

The true king brings an army as well. Yet, this army does not fight. It sings. It offers glory to the creator of all things. It declares peace on earth to ALL PEOPLE.

This is the promise of Christmas.

Let us pray.

Gracious God. Give us ears to hear the message fresh today. Your desire for this world is peace, not power. Grant us wisdom and courage to strive for these things in the dawning of a new year. Amen.

Go now, my friends, into the remaining days of Christmas. Be filled with the hope that God is with us. God is with ALL of us, and invites us to welcome ALL people into the Kingdom of Peace.