Our Readings:
Luke 2:1-14 (NASB)
1 Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth.
2 This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria.
3 And everyone was on his way to register for the census, each to his own city.
4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David,
5 in order to register along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child.
6 While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth.
7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
8 In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened.
10 But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people;
11 for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
12 "This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
13 And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
14 "Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased."
An Advent Meditation:
Joseph and Mary had their first-born baby in a manger…a cow stall. The nativity scenes all portray the “lowing” of the animals that surround a small rectangular box with hay to surround the baby. They always seem to conjure up images of peace, tranquility and joy.
Nativity scenes include often shepherds and the magi, but it’s clear in comparing Luke 2 and Matthew 2 that the magi are not visitors to the manger since Mary and Joseph are in their house by the time they make their visit.
The nativity scene goes back to 1223 and the work of St. Francis of Assisi who constructed the first one (we know of) outside of his church in Italy. He chose to do this as a teaching tool and brought the nativity alive with people and animals. The emergence of this model spread and by the end of the middle ages much of Europe was using nativity scenes which – like stained glass windows – told the story visually to a population largely illiterate. For children, and perhaps adults, nativity scenes can still serve to visually stir the imaginations of that evening 2000+ years ago.
But, it’s more than the nativity that draws me to wonder at this scene. God, the God of the universe, creator, author of faith and life…this God comes to us in the most commonly of ways. God entered our world, not in glorious displays of grandeur, but in the way of weakness, commonness, earthiness, humility. This is a birth with all of its beauty and joy, it is also filled with pain and what one man once described as “the yuckies”. Why?
The world around us does not understand this “way” of God.
We don’t understand the ways of God!
This vulnerability, weakness is not the efficient, powerful, glorious explosion of God’s power were used to portraying. Brennan Manning wrote a classic entitled – “Shipwrecked at the stable”. He writes about this vulnerability and weakness that makes our meditation on God’s ways more complete:
“We all know how difficult it is to receive anything from someone who has all the answers, who is completely cool, utterly unafraid, needing nothing and in control of every situation. We feel unnecessary, unrelated to this paragon. So God comes as a new born baby, giving us a chance to love him, making us feel that we have something to give him…the infant Jesus was born in unimpressive circumstances, no one can exactly say where. His parents were of no social significance whatsoever, and his chosen welcoming committee were all turkeys, losers, and dirt poor shepherds. But in his weakness and poverty the shipwrecked at the stable would come to know the love of God.”
The shipwrecked at the stable know their weakness and stripped of all control they simply cling to God’s grace.
The shipwrecked at the table come to be possessed by God, not to possess replacement of material goods as idols in his place.
The shipwrecked at the stable seek the peace of Christ over the noise and flurry of activity that the world uses to hide its emptiness and pain.
The shipwrecked at the stable know that Christmas is God’s gift of himself…nothing more, nothing less and that this is enough.
Don’t lose sight of the nativity as a place of weakness, vulnerability and a display of the “way” of God. Go ahead, have that cookie, exchange presents, go caroling, give to the poor, attend a candle light service, call your distant family and friends…do it all, and do it in the name of Jesus. Be captivated by joy and wonder…be overwhelmed by God’s “unmighty” display.
Brennan Manning finishes his “shipwrecked at the stable” with a story:
“In 1980, the day before Christmas, Richard Ballenger’s mother in Anderson, S.C., was busy wrapping packages and asked her young son to shine her shoes. Soon, with a proud smile that only a seven-year can muster, he presented the shoes for inspection. His mother was so pleased she gave him a quarter.
On Christmas morning as she put on the shoes to go to church, she noticed a lump in one shoe. She took it off and found a quarter wrapped in paper. Written on the paper in a child’s scrawl were the words, ‘I done it for love’.”
May each of us come to Christmas eve with this same worship.
An Advent Prayer:
“Father I cannot look at you and shake my head…you completely amaze me. Soon it is Christmas day and the sense of anticipation for family and sharing is bursting inside. You are the baby in that manger…quiet baby cries and humble vulnerabilities…I cannot fathom the willingness to be “not in control”, but you were. You are willing to be born of the flesh so that I can be born of the Spirit…there in that manger, here in my house…it all is beyond me, but it is real and that’s all I need to know. Amen.”
Away in a manger,
No crib for His bed
The little Lord Jesus
Laid down His sweet head
The stars in the bright sky
Looked down where He lay
The little Lord Jesus
Asleep on the hay
The cattle are lowing
The poor Baby wakes
But little Lord Jesus
No crying He makes
I love Thee, Lord Jesus
Look down from the sky
And stay by my side,
'Til morning is nigh.
Be near me, Lord Jesus,
I ask Thee to stay
Close by me forever
And love me I pray
Bless all the dear children
In Thy tender care
And take us to heaven
To live with Thee there
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