Birth of Jesus - Christmas Eve

Luke 2:1–14 NRSV

In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!”

Luke 2:15–20 NRSV

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

This Christmas, I’m thinking about the many families displaced by flooding in our state. Massive rain surges have led to flooding in our nearby Nooksack and Skagit Valleys. And people are unable to return to their homes, likely for quite some time, as receding waters and repairs must first be done.

Throw into the mix that Nooksack Valley is home to some of our county’s poorest families. Immigrant families, struggling farmers, people often forgotten amidst the hustle and bustle of this season, but people starkly in front of us now.

The Holy Family was a part of a displaced people — This registration was a census for taxation. We might think of this something people did orderly and without question. But imagine, in a moment like tonight, being required to uproot from your home and seek shelter anywhere you could find it, because your destination was still a long way off.

Of course, during difficult times, good people rise up to help and make a way forward. I’ve heard so many stories of generosity being poured out by our community. Homes opened. Presents purchased and given away. Kind words shared, reminding your friends and family that you’re there for them. My hero, Mr. Rogers, once shared these words regarding such times. He said, "When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, 'Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.'"

There were certainly helpers along the journey to Bethlehem. I wonder about the caravan that accompanied Mary and Joseph. Family, friends, neighbors, looking out for each other, all bearing this common burden.

Sadly, this is also a story of power and control. The citizens were to be recorded to be taxed. The regional government, ultimately under Caesar Augustus’ Imperial Rule, is looking to raise taxes and they want to document every person, from the poorest and farthest reaches of Palestine.

And, of course, there are other purposes for the census. We get that. Good demographic data helps you revise plans for expansion and growth. It also helps those in power manage and control the people. What are all these immigrants from Syria doing in our census? Has our family’s historic village been overrun by foreigners?

Or how about the inn and the innkeeper. It’s only a passing statement in our text, but clearly, there was a place that could shelter Mary and Joseph, but they didn’t have room for them. I want to give this fabled innkeeper a break and just wonder if his hands were tied. Maybe all the wealthiest travelers had faster camels and snatched up all the rooms. Maybe the innkeeper is worried that this influx of visitors will overwhelm is staff. He has other priorities.

But the lesson we learn is that the Holy Family was turned away by the establishment. Maybe not even maliciously, but just because of differing priorities, other demands, and their lack of importance.

I started to think about the displaced families of Whatcom County again. I thought of all the large church buildings we have around this county and how many could make good shelters, nearby the flooding. I think about our church — we’re not really equipped to house people, but would we? Could we?

I also think about the other priorities. Maybe the church has a Christmas pageant that needs the shelter space? What if we want the building to feel bright and clean on a Christmas Eve when you’re welcoming in a larger crowd of neighbors and visitors. I suppose there is no room.

Wow, where is the hope of Christmas?

Is all lost?

No. But we’ve all been at that bleak point of the journey, when it seems really unlikely that things are going to get better.

Gladly, Mary and Joseph find a way forward. People in crisis usually do. And in the mess of a stable, the Christ is born. God incarnate, enfleshed Christ, born in a child in Bethlehem. Glory to God!

That’s where the shepherd’s pick up. Migrant workers, living in the fields, away from the city, but probably weary and worried nonetheless. Were they documented for the census? What would happen if the farmer they worked for ratted them out to the Romans? Who has authority over them, anyway? Caesar?

In the cold anxiety of that night, the Glory of God…shines! And they are terrified. Is that the flashlight of the soldier, the officer of imperial law? Should they run? Should they hide?

Friends, it is here that the heavens break open.

It is in the field, in the fear, where heaven and earth meet. Perhaps this is the site where Jesus will one day deliver his sermon on the mount, a place that people learn to regard as holy because of the mighty things these poor shepherds saw.

Instead of the round up wagon, the shepherds witness Glory. The wind, the light, the pressure of presence. Singing. Because the Christ is born. Calling out, because God is with us. The boundary between God and man has closed up in this thin place. The Christ is born.

Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth, peace, among those whom he favors!

Glory. Light. The dawn of Christ.

Before we end and just run off in to tell it on the mountain, let me ask this, “who does God favor?”

On earth, peace…among those God favors.

We long to be favored, to be chosen, to know we are loved.

Let’s remind ourselves of who God favors…because this is the good news.

We can start with the story:

God favors…the unwed mother, the concerned husband, the band of shepherds.

But we absolutely have some modern analogies…

God favors…the single-mom, who is doing the best she can.

God favors…the uncertain man, who doesn’t believe he is enough.

God favors…the young woman, up way too early for their job at the berry farm.

God favors…the displaced family and provides them shelter.

God favors…the low, the hurting, the poor.

It is these, the ones in low places, the ones at the end of the road, the ones who feel all is lost — this is who God favors. God favors and provides for the poorest in spirit, the lowest in state.

And God favors you, and me.

But hold up, if God favors all of us, what does that favor mean? God’s about the unhoused, but what does it matter when God favors the rich man in the house on the hill?

No, we hve to see this favor differently: that part of you that knows the right thing to do is give compassion to the hurting, that spirit in you that cries out and longs for justice, the passionate streak in you that willingly gives love and service away to people who need help — it is this which God favors, because this is the Image of God you bear.

God favors those who live into the fullness of themselves and their circumstances. So God shows up to people who are real, people who least expect it. God favors the hurting, the poor, and the lowly. Our call is to walk along and become like these, to know our need for help and our capacity to offer it, so that God’s glory may be seen!

Amen and Merry Christmas.