Scripture: And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths 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, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”
When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. Luke 2:8-20 ESV
[Click here to read the entire chapter.]
Observation: Recapping Friday’s Daily Focus, Luke presents his version of Christ’s birth story with a timeline: Caesar Augustus’ decreed census, which took place before Quirinius’ registration. The decree required citizens to register in their birthplace. So Joseph, who lived in Nazareth, returns to his hometown of Bethlehem with his betrothed, pregnant, and soon-to-be-wed bride, Mary. As our review of Matthew’s Gospel mentioned, a betrothal arrangement was binding and could only be severed by a writ of divorce (unlike our modern-day engagement). Luke adds that Joseph’s lineage traces to King David, who hails from Bethlehem. And coinciding with Matthew’s account, Mary gives birth to Jesus, swaddles him, and lays him in a manger (animal feeding trough) because the town has no vacancies.
Today’s reading covers the angelic pronouncement of “good news of great joy” for all people (v.10). To a lowly group of shepherds, an angel proclaims that in the city of David (Bethlehem), a “Savior, who is Christ the Lord” (v.11) is born. Providing a sign (as expected with a prophetic announcement of this magnitude), the angel informs them to look for a baby swaddled in strips of cloth and lying in a manger (a distinct and poignant sign). Then, if not already intimidated and terrified by the first angel, many heavenly hosts suddenly appear to the shepherds and praise God, proclaiming peace on earth to those in whom God is pleased.
Without delay, the shepherds leave their flocks and find Mary, Joseph, and their Christ-child (who is lying in a manger, just as the angel confirmed). Amazed, they share all that transpired in the field with Mary and Joseph. And those also hearing the shepherds’ report ponder what this could mean for Israel. Meanwhile, Mary treasures this glorious and tender moment in her heart. So the shepherds return to their flocks but continue to glorify and praise him for all they have seen and heard.
Takeaway: This story provides three signs that reveal God’s love for his son, his heart for the marginalized, and the upside-down nature of his Son’s kingdom. First, regarding the Father’s love for his Son, as the original audience read Luke’s imagery of the Christ-child swaddled with strips of cloth and lying in a manger of straw would convey the warmth and care of a mother who rises above difficult circumstances to make the dingy and smelly accommodations warm and hospitable to her beloved Son. And, of course, our sovereign Father expresses his love for his Son through Mary’s attentive care.
Secondly, the pronouncement to marginalized shepherds reveals God’s heart for the lowly. Indeed, the shepherd’s line of work made them ceremonially unclean, and fellow Israelites disdained them because of their often smelly and disheveled appearance. Similarly, ten centuries earlier, God surprisingly covenanted with the shepherd David to raise the Messiah from his line. And this same David, whom God exalted to kingship, poetically writes of our gracious God as his Good Shepherd who cares for his every need (Psalm 23). And, of course, Jesus, being one with the Father, is our Good Shepherd (John 10:1-18).
Lastly, as for the upside-down nature of his kingdom, as Jesus regularly reminded his disciples, the first (in the world’s estimation) will be the last in God’s kingdom. Conversely, the last by worldly standards will be first in God’s kingdom (see Matthew 19:30 and 20:16), for God looks upon the heart and not outward appearances (1 Samuel 16:7). Thus, lowly shepherds were the first to hear and spread the good news of Christ’s birth.
Our takeaway? Like Mary, we need to believe and receive God’s love and treasure our moments when we see him moving in our lives and blessing us with reassuring words through others. And, like Mary, we need to build a foundation for receptivity to God’s overtures of love. Mary trusted God’s loving kindness when Gabriel announced she would bear the Christ-child, even though she did not know how it would all work out. And she relied on God’s loving care expressed to her when others turned her away. And she marveled at how her Lord graciously exalts those of humble station with the honor worthy of royalty.
So when we believe, receive, and treasure God’s overtures of love revealed in Christ through even the direst of circumstances, we please him and rest in his peace (v.14).
Prayer: Father God, thank you for revealing your tender love for your Son and the marginalized, as recorded in Luke’s beautiful account of Jesus’ birth story. We confess, though, that we can quickly lose sight of your loving kindness and care when we face the direst of circumstances. So would you please help us cooperate with your Holy Spirit to strengthen our faith and receptivity to your love and care and treasure those moments when you come through for us? Amen.
Rev. Gordon Green, M.Div., M.A. Counseling
Leave a Reply