Luke 2: 1-20
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!"
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.
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Christmas is a busy time.
It sounds like things were busy around Bethlehem in our scripture story. Mary couldn’t rest and prepare for the completion of her pregnancy and the delivery of her baby boy. No, she and Joseph had to travel from Nazareth, which was about a 70 mile trip. The word that is translated as “inn” can also mean “guest room”, and there are many who now interpret this story as referring to the extra room in a typical house from that time, where the animals would be brought in during the night, and where there would often be a manger built into the floor. So it’s likely that she and Joseph had arrived there some time before the baby was born, and were staying with extended family, sleeping in this spare room. But they were there to be counted in the census, and there were likely others staying in this home as well, so it was probably quite a busy place in which to be delivering a baby.
And then the shepherds sure had an unusual night. First the angel that terrifies them, arriving out of the blue, and telling them such “good news….of great joy….. for all people….”. And just as their fear is being transformed into joy and wonder, an entire host of angels – the Greek word used here for host can also mean “army” – an army of angels from heaven light up the sky, singing and rejoicing at the birth of the Savior, God with us, Jesus. And off the shepherds go, to see for themselves this unbelievable event, this baby boy.
Of course, this creates even more stir where Joseph and Mary are staying, when out of the blue a group of smelly shepherds, who have been working in the field with animals for days on end, show up wanting to see the new baby, and telling them all about the visit from the army of angels, about the song, about the joy.
It was a busy time, Christmas, for this new family, their hosts and their visitors. Probably not as Silent a Night as the hymn might cause us to believe.
And it’s surely a busy time for us, too as we celebrate Christmas, each in our own way.
Some of us are traveling to be with family and friends, and some of us are welcoming those who are traveling to be with us.
There are lots of parties, celebrations, all with lots of good food, and so there is cleaning and decorating and cooking and all the things that go with hospitality this Christmas season.
And there are gifts to be given, so there is list-making, and Santa-visiting, and shopping, and wrapping, and mailing cards and packages…..
And there is also an extra measure of caring that happens this season, remembering those who are less fortunate. So there are lists to make, and volunteers to find, and baskets to fill and to deliver, and more presents, and donations, and taking the time to be with those who are lonely, or are sick, or are sad, because it’s especially challenging to be feeling blue at this time of year.
And some of us who are feeling lonely, or sick, or sad, might give anything for some of that busy-ness to be part of our lives this Christmas season.
But the mystery and the miracle of Christmas is not about how busy we are, or about the travel or the shopping or the preparations and the celebrations.
No, what Christmas is all about, the reason we gather this night, the thing we are here to proclaim is what God has done for us.
Christmas is not about the things we have done to get ready. Chrismas is not about you, and it’s not about me. Christmas is about God – about who God is and about what God has done for us.
Christmas is about a God who thinks that you – each of you – we – all of us - are so special, and so important, that nothing can separate God from you. That’s the good news of great joy for all people.
Christmas is about a God who will go to any length to be part of your life – even to a manger in Bethlehem; even to a cross in Jerusalem. When we call Jesus Emmanuel - God with us – this is what it means. It means that God will come and will find you wherever you are.
This Christmas may find you rejoicing; it may find you stressed; it may find you lonely or grieving or feeling hopeless. But however this Christmas finds you, no matter what, God is with you there. God With Us. Because nothing can separate us from the love of God.
So as you celebrate Christmas, however you do, remember that what we truly celebrate is that God is with us, and God walks alongside us, and God will never let us go. This is the great miracle that is Christmas.
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