Christmas Day
Donna Joy

This year, as with every year, we are given the opportunity to delight in the scene of Joseph and pregnant Mary, travelling to Bethlehem because they must, staying in a place where animals reside because there is no other place to stay, giving birth to this child who – because of the visitation of angels - is visited by shepherds; we often delight in the image of Mary and Joseph gazing down, adoringly, at their newborn child; at this newborn Prince of Peace. I think each year, depending on circumstances, we may tend to focus on one particular piece of, or character within, this birth story (keeping in mind, of course, that Jesus – in fact - is always the primary focal point). This year, with travel restrictions and limitations on having large gatherings with family and friends, we may relate – in a new way - to pregnant Mary on a donkey travelling away from friends, family, and all that is familiar because of a government census requirement. She (and Joseph) have no choice but to be alone at this special time, wishing they could be with family and friends.

It is so interesting to me that, over the centuries, this story has – increasingly - been interpreted as beautiful, peaceful, and calm, because – in fact – it is anything but beautiful, peaceful, and calm. Christ was born into political turmoil and unrest, rampant illness, poverty, displaced peoples, confusion, disappointment, and profound pain. Christ became the light – and hope - in the midst of all that. The birth of Jesus – which leads to the cross - is that event in history when God becomes linked to the pain of humanity in a new and eternal way.

All-too-often – for example - we see the manger as sweet, or perhaps cozy… but – in fact – it is anything BUT sweet and cozy. It is a smelly, unsanitized, feeding trough for animals! This Prince of Peace has come to us in the midst of a tormented world; born in a stable rather than a palace; finding rest in a feeding trough for animals rather than sitting on a throne; and when placed on the cross, wearing a crown of thorns rather than one that is made of the finest gold and adorned with jewels. This is clearly a Messiah who lives in solidarity with the painful realities of life.

At our ‘Light in the Darkness’ worship last week, we made the point that Christmas is often that time of year when we feel somehow obliged to be happy, and merry. Secular Hallmark cards often reinforce this imposition of such happiness and merriment. Even religious Christmas cards tend to convey a message that does NOT speak to the painful side of life: that is, cards with images that speak of a world that is at peace, and seemingly, somehow laced with a twinge of perfection. Well, the truth of this story of the first Christmas is that none of these images offer any authentic brand of truth. This year, especially, we may understand the superficiality of these cards, as we recognize the reality of a pandemic: a time where isolation, loneliness, disappointment, confusion, anxiety have been common themes; this year, especially, as we relate to Mary and Joseph who are forced to be apart from family and friends at a time when they needed them most. Happiness and merriment may NOT be our primary mindset, and the year 2020 has been a particular reminder that we do NOT live in the perfect world that is often portrayed on the covers and messages of cards at this time of year. Today, once again, we are reminded that with this birth a light shines in the midst of disappointment and pain.

As I reflect on this birth this year, I am reminded that the peace and presence of this Messiah is always with us, particularly in the midst of the darkest of times. I don’t for one minute understand why there is so much pain and suffering in our homes, our communities, and the world in which we live. But I believe that the God we worship is reborn in our hearts as we celebrate this birth, and when we discover him in the messiness of life we also discover hope: that even when the signs are not clear, God’s plan continues to unfold; that with God, nothing is impossible; and as we leave this worship we not only carry this light with us, but we are also called to become that light – offering that hope to others.

This year I am reminded of four important things:

• in the midst of the painful realities of life Jesus has come, is coming, and because he is fully divine and fully human, through him we are fully and eternally linked to God;
• with this birth God has now been fully revealed; and this gift is available to everyone, unconditionally (even those dirty, despised shepherds).
• because of all this, through Jesus, we have been given the opportunity to enter into a relationship with God that wasn’t possible before.
• even though Mary and Joseph, initially, may have felt alone and separated from all that was familiar – separated from their family and friends at such a critical time in their lives – in fact, they were surrounded and supported by a surprising cast of characters: an innkeeper who did what he – or she – could do to help, angels, shepherds and who knows who else may not even be mentioned in Luke’s telling of this story. (Today, while we may be separated from many whom we love, we have been led to the place of this birth in the company of each other.)

The shepherds would have returned to their field, to continue to do what shepherds do, but they do not return the same people who had left that short while before.. They returned to a tumultuous world that continued to function the same as it had before this extraordinary birth. But the point is that THEY had changed; they had been touched by God through the glory of this birth and THEY were changed because of it. Through this experience they are now intimately linked to God in a new way, a gift given to them unconditionally, and they are now equipped to live in relationship with God through Jesus. So, as we return to our everyday lives after having celebrated this birth, we will discover that the pandemic is still the pandemic and the very necessary restrictions on our freedom remain (just for now) in place… but my hope and prayer is that the reminder of this birth where God dwells with us in the midst of all this – where God shines a new light, offering comfort, strength, and hope… it is my hope and prayer that this may become food for the journey as we continue to travel – together - through these challenging times. May the light, hope, comfort, and peace of this birth remain in your hearts this Christmas and throughout the coming year.