Christmas Eve 2003
You do not have to be 'in power' to be a conduit of God's power. Those 'certain poor shepherds' would be the first spokespersons for the Gospel. They were not trained but made ready by the sheer wonder of the event. They were not blown away by its immensity but ennobled and commissioned by the power of what took place. So, too, with Mary, who was unprepared but willing. And let's not forget Joseph. Any other guy would have thought he was really going to have his hands full with her--why not get rid of her and avoid the trouble! But Joseph was willing to listen. He was flexible and gutsy. Yes, the Power was the Holy Spirit. Yet without open and willing people, the Spirit has no place to dwell. Mary, from the time of Gabriel's announcement, kept faith with God; as did Joseph, listening to God's word about this child. Still, it is so important to see that the couple kept faith with each other too. What God directs is not an otherworldly drama in the heavens. We sing of the Christ born a child yet a king. However, baby Jesus does not fall from the skies. God employs men and women for the miracle of Incarnation on earth. So the wonder of Christmas is as much about Mary and Joseph as it is about the babe. They participate in making real on earth what is always possible with God. People who love life and make a commitment to love are God's arsenal, stronger than any weapons of destruction. The Incarnation-- that which makes for flesh and blood reality-- is stronger than anything or anyone who tries to tear it apart.
People longing for a better world might well look upon the Christmas story and consider it absurd that anyone could recognize in a vulnerable child the answer to the world's warring madness. But it really all depends on one's expectations. Too many people either expect to be Masters of Destiny or victims of fate--expectations that pre-dispose us to competing as winners and losers who calculate odds and amass resources, rather than gathering in community.
What do you expect? Personally, in your life; relationally with someone else, economically? What do you expect to happen in the nation, the world? You need not have lived many years to have been exposed to assassinations, social unrest, corruption, bloody wars and the violent death of the young. That's the cyclic and repetitive 'news of the day' for a people whose lights have been put out and who walk in darkness. As a result, what we have been conditioned to expect has robbed us of hope. Suffering like battered children, many of us have low, limited or no hope.
But we are here tonight to celebrate Good News: Hope has not died. God has high hopes for us-- For a child has been born, a son given to us.
Emmanuel--God is with us, if only we would expect God to be. God is our hope, and shall never be thwarted. Hope is the foundation of creation; and the Church, the remnant who does not give up hope, are the instigators of Great Expectations. In a world of shifting sands, we stand humbly, but firm and joyous in this fact: the child is wrapped up in our flesh and blood so that we can be robed in God.
Do you know what that means? We are not the only ones with hopes. God hopes too! It is God's hope that you will embrace the moment that contains both past and future, where you have been and where you are going. For God's hope needs each one of us to be the dwelling place in which love is born. It is Christmas whenever and wherever people live faithfully, giving birth to love. That is the identity and purpose of God's People. We celebrate the Christ Child because we are born as Christ Children who Christ-like carry God's hope to all the peoples of the world.
Sing to the Lord a new song, sing to the Lord all the whole earth.
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall rest upon his shoulders. And his name is Wonderful Counselor-- the Leader who will know the safe path for the people; Mighty God-- The Divine Power whose strength will be used not for oppression or conquest but healing and new life; Everlasting Father-- never exhausted of compassion, always acting to provide nurture and protection; The Prince of Peace-- proclaiming Shalom, wholeness and health within and between all people.
Having said all this, let us spend a few moments at the manger. Look upon the child. Listen to the quiet breathing of the baby--restful, heavenly. Just like your breathing in and out to sing the lullaby 'Silent Night'.
Take a moment… Smile at the Christ Child and you achieve a victory for yourself and for humanity. You are allowing the gift of God to transform you, to wake up the divine compassion within you--which is powerful to transform discord and ignorance.
Sing the Songs of Christmas. They are new every year: calm, loving lyrics, sober about evil and violence, despair and fear; but unashamedly simple in stating that God works in us to transform our own hurt and anger. We are given voices to sing a new song turning hope into words and deeds for understanding, peace and reconciliation-- in our hearts, with our families, throughout society; even with those we have called the "enemy".
Yes, look on the face of that Child Christ. All boys and girls are brothers and sisters of Jesus. We are meant to grow up into one holy family.
Don't leave this Christmas Eve behind. Do not allow the Nativity Scene to be but a wistful dream lying fallow within you. Look into the face of the child. Yes, in our lives there is so much turbulence and uncertainty. Yes, we have sought distraction by feeding our senses: overworking, overeating, drinking, channel surfing and internet escaping. But here, now, on this still night, train your senses on Christ. Spending time at the crib is not nostalgic escapism but coming to the cradle of hope. We are touched by the life that awakens us to the beauty and goodness all around. Taking that true peace with us, we go out from here, with deepened compassion and broadened understanding, seeing the face of Christ in all others.
Merry Christmas.
Thomas Reese
12.24.03