Readings: Luke 2:1-20

A decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all should go back to their hometown for the census.  And when a decree went out from the powerful ruler of Rome it was acted upon.  Caesar Augustus, the self-proclaimed son of God, the bringer of peace, the saviour used his claim to greatness to exploit the people under his rule. 

Joseph and his wife Mary, nine months pregnant obeyed the decree.  They set out on a five-day journey from Nazareth where they were living to go to their hometown of Bethlehem. The Bethlehem of Jesus’ day was of little consequence, a back road place close to the big city of Jerusalem, which was the usual destination for travellers.  Consequently there were few inns to be found.  Most people who travelled to Bethlehem were visiting family or friends.  But in its past Bethlehem had birthed some well-known people, amongst them Rachael, wife of the patriarch Jacob, Ruth the Moabite woman, and most important, King David, the shepherd king of Israel.  Bethlehem, “House of Bread”, became known as the city of David.  Because it was the ancestral hometown of the line of David, a huge influx of travellers, all claiming royal lineage flocked to the town.  The few small inns filled up very quickly.  

This was no Holiday Inn that we are talking about.  The inns were very simple dwellings with several small rooms opening into a courtyard.  The wealthy would have a room and would eat their meals in the inn.  Many who were unable to afford a room would simply camp out in the courtyard with the animals.  They would build a fire in the courtyard to cook their meals.  By the time Mary and Joseph arrived in Bethlehem there was no room anywhere.  So when Mary gave birth to Jesus she laid him in a manger, a feeding trough for the animals. 

Our God is a God of surprises.  The true Son of God, the bringer of peace, the real Saviour, is a baby whose family cannot find accommodation.  The child is born in poverty, without a proper roof over his head. 

And the surprise does not stop there.  For on a hillside outside of Bethlehem a very different decree is taking place.  Some shepherds are watching their flocks that night when heavenly messengers come to them with great news.  “To you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour who is the Messiah, the Lord.”  Had they been scholars they might have known that the prophet Micah had foretold it.  But the angels did not go to the religious leaders of Israel with the good news.  They went to the shepherds, outcasts of society.  And the shepherds got the message.  They not only got it.  They acted on it.  They hurried to Bethlehem, praising God all the way there.  Then they went out and told the good news to everyone who would listen. 

It is good news that continues throughout Jesus’ earthly ministry as he reaches out to the poor, to the sick, to the desperate.  Jesus offers a vision of peace, which the world needs.  It has been said that the birth of a child offers humanity another chance.  How much more does the birth of the child in Bethlehem offer hope to our troubled world?  We live on the brink of destroying the wonder that God created.  Terrorism, war, violence, abuse… Jesus came as the Prince of Peace.  “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those whom he favours.”  The song of the angels rang out over Bethlehem’s hills.  Yet it is not always a welcome message.  Peace is the Christmas message, and yet even the word Christmas divides.  We have to be politically correct.  We cannot be seen as pushing our faith at people. 

How do we share the meaning of Christmas?  How do we share the wonderful surprise that God has given us?  How do we share, not what has become of Christmas, but what is at the very core of our Christian faith? 

Let God surprise you this Christmas! Sometimes simply existing, dealing with all that life brings to us, leaves us feeling overwhelmed as we try to somehow scrape by.  God is often much closer than we realize.  God waits to bring us the miracle of spiritual birth, the wonder of having Jesus born in us. 

Often it happens in ways we do not expect.  When you feel that nudge in your heart, take note.  Listen! It may be the Spirit beckoning to you to discover the miracle of Christ’s birth.  Open your heart up to God.  Let Christ be born in you.  And then share it.

It won’t likely be about preaching a sermon, or canvassing door to door.  You won’t suddenly need a degree in Theology.  You may find yourself using your gifts and talents to bring life and joy to others.  You may find yourself sharing your insights.  You will experience Christ being born in you again and again and again.   

May all the wonder of the season be born in us this day.  May we celebrate and know that God is present with us.  May it be a season of great joy and peace on earth.  Amen.