The world in Jesus Day was very much like ours, except, access to
whole world was not in our pockets or our purses, something I consider a blessing.
Like our lives today there were many good things: families,
friends, the birth of children, faith in God. These and many other glimmers of
light.
But there was also much darkness, again not unlike our world can
have at times: wars, empires that ruled other nations, leaders who took
advantage of their own people, disease, hunger, outcasts, and despised peoples:
shepherds, prostitutes, tax collectors and others. In short, plenty of darkness
to go around.
In the Old Testament book of Isaiah, the eighth century BC prophet
of Israel shares a Coronation Anthem sung at the enthronement of kings of the
Davidic dynasty. While this anthem was not written about Jesus, our Christian
faith finds that same hope in Jesus and it is appropriate that we celebrate his
nativity with this hymn, reminding ourselves of why Jesus came into the world,
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great
light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness--on them light has shined. .
. For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his
shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father,
Prince of Peace. His authority shall grow continually, and there shall be
endless peace for the throne of David and his kingdom. He will establish and
uphold it
with justice and with righteousness from this time onward and
forevermore. (Isaiah 9:2-7)
I am sure that the Israelites hoped and believed that each new
king would truly bring them out of war and into peace, out of hunger and
oppression and poverty and into freedom and opportunity.
At Jesus’ Birth, Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds must have
believed that within this baby’s lifetime light would overcome darkness. During
Jesus’ adult life many people saw him as the one who would bring God’s light
into the world, bringing justice for the poor, freedom to the oppressed, and
peace to the nations.
The Miracle of Jesus’ birth, life, death, and resurrection is that
while the light is often dimmed, it never goes out.
The Christian Church, as the body of Christ is charged to blow on
that light, to add wood to the fire and the carry that light into the world by
proclaiming by word and deed Jesus’ message of light that destroys darkness, of
peace which eliminates war, and of justice for the poor.
The writer of the epistle of Titus explains it this way: “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to
all. Jesus Christ it is who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from
all iniquity and purify for himself a people of his own who are zealous for
good deeds. (Titus 2:11-14)
As followers of Jesus redeemed and purified by Jesus, we are
called to be his own and we are called to be zealous for good deeds.
We are called and blessed to work for “peace on earth among all those whom God favors!" I believe all, means all, all means everyone: red and yellow, black and white we are all precious in God’s sight. Christian, Moslem, Jew, Hindu, Baha’i, Atheist, and others. All those groups contain people whom God favors, and all can work together for Justice and peace.
But what if I am afraid, what if people speak unkindly of me, or put my name in the newspaper as a troublemaker. Then, like the shepherds, God calls us to trust the words of the angel: “Do not be afraid; for see, I am bringing good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, who is Messiah, the Lord.” (Luke 2)
On
Christmas we celebrate the brightness of the true light of God: the birth of
Jesus as a Message of Peace, as a message of hope for the oppressed, as a
command for us to help spread that light and as a promise that God will be with
us always.
