Grace and peace to you from our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ!

            Over and over again, 2020 has been referred to as a “year like no other.”  We are having a “Christmas like no other” after having an “Easter like no other,” and many people would be happy never to hear this phrase again.  However, as it turns out, today we are hearing a gospel like no other.  As you may have heard once or twice, the word gospel means “good news.”  And so, when the angel brings “good news of great joy” to the shepherds, this is a gospel.

         As Luke tells us this story, he has been very careful to place it in the historical context of the Roman Empire.  The Emperor Augustus is the one in charge at the time, and when this emperor was born, a gospel would have been sent out to be shared with the people, telling them the good news that the next emperor had been born.  This gospel would most likely have included many lofty titles for the emperor such as Son of God, and Lord, and Saviour.  However, it is highly unlikely that any of these Roman gospels would have involved a whole host of angels!

         The shepherds are privy to a gospel like no other – first, because of the angels; second, because they are surrounded by the glory of God; and third, because this child is also called the Messiah.  Messiah means “anointed one” and was a Jewish concept rather than a Roman one.  Of course, another thing that would set Jesus apart from any of the Roman emperors is the humble nature of his birth.  And so, the shepherds go to see this amazing thing – a Saviour who is wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a feed trough.

         One of the things that we might well miss in the story is that, until the shepherds show up, Mary and Joseph were quite likely sorely disappointed.  They had been told all of these lofty things about this child who was to be born, and yet, here they were, far from home, taking refuge with some animals after their long journey.  They could surely be forgiven for thinking that this was a highly unlikely setting for the birth of the Son of God.

         At the same time, they had no idea what had been going on out in the fields until the shepherds told them.  It was only then that they began to understand that this child would be all that the angel had told them, and more.  Things may not have been unfolding as they would have wished, but God was still at work.  No wonder Mary spent so much time pondering in her heart!

         This Christmas, there are many people who can identify with things not unfolding as they might have wished.  Many are disappointed.  Many are feeling isolated and alone.  Many are feeling as though this might be the saddest Christmas ever.  Many are simply feeling stressed out and tired and are looking for something that feels “normal” again.

         The thing is that there are many different things that we associate with Christmas, and our attachment to these things is very emotional in nature.  We look forward to eating with family and friends.  We look forward to a reunion with our church family at the candlelight service.  We look forward to singing and playing Christmas carols, and perhaps even having a family sing-along.  We look forward to seeing our extended family, and perhaps even having a sleigh ride or playing some pond hockey.  Many of these things will not be possible this year, although apparently Santa has been cleared by health officials to go from house to house – wearing a mask and sanitizing between calls, of course.

         One has to wonder, however, if we have been given an unforeseen gift this Christmas.  With the stripping away of many of the things that would normally fill up our schedules in December, is it possible that we are better able to focus on the birth of Jesus?  With the inability to do many of the things that we normally associate with Christmas, is it possible that we are able to reflect on the reason for the season?

         It is understandable to be disappointed.  It is understandable to grieve the many losses that this year has brought us.  It is understandable to miss seeing friends and loved ones.  However, into the midst of our grief and disappointment comes the one who is, not only the Messiah and the Saviour and the Son of God, but is also Emmanuel – God with us.

         Because of his incarnation and life among us, Jesus knows what it is to experience grief and disappointment and frustration, and to be left utterly and completely alone.  Jesus also knows what it is to rejoice and to walk with God and to welcome those have always been outcasts.  Jesus knows what it is to be human, and continues to walk with us.  Thanks be to God for the gift of a Saviour, who shared our humanity in order that we might share his divinity.  Amen.

The Nativity of Our Lord – Christmas Eve (NL 3)           Luke 2:1-20

December 24, 2020

St. Luke’s Zion Lutheran Church

Pastor Lynne Hutchison  

© 2020 Lynne Hutchison  All Rights Reserved