Christmas Day

 Is 62:6-12; Ps 97; Tit 3:4-7; Lk 2:(1-7), 8-20

Luke 2:1-20

Phew!  All that anxious waiting is finally over!  It’s Christmas day—"Hallelujah!”
As I prepared this reflection, I spent time thinking about Luke’s factual telling of Joseph and Mary’s journey to Bethlehem, the shepherds hearing the angel Gabriel’s proclamation, and the birth of Jesus in a stable where he was placed to rest in the manger.  Luke does not embellish the story beyond the facts.  For me, this account reads like a news story.  I find myself imagining what these events were like for all the people in the story.
 
I think of Joseph being a man of courage and loyalty as he never abandoned Mary in her pregnancy. Rather than leaving Mary at home in Nazareth where she would have been more comfortable at 8-9 months pregnant, Joseph traveled with her to Bethlehem.  I think about the kinds of questions Joseph would have answered during Mary’s pregnancy, “What does your family think? Aren’t you the father?  How is that possible? Why don’t you leave her?” During that time, Joseph showed a calm acceptance of the miracle of Jesus’ impending birth, staying with Mary and offering unswerving support.
 
Mary, a young woman, shows such deep faith and trust in the Lord that all that had been foretold to her would come to pass.  That everything would work out just fine. Carrying a baby for nine months gives a mother time to reflect on what the birth will be like and what the future holds for that baby. Mary was a very “tough” lady to set out on a long journey with a man who wasn’t her husband, to a strange town when she was far into her pregnancy.  Mary’s trust in God and Joseph is awe inspiring.  I often wonder what was going through her mind when she was in labour and the only place to birth her baby was a stable with no family, other than Joseph.  She is so worthy of our respect and admiration.  
 
The shepherds, used to being outside in close communion with nature must have been terrified when the angel of the Lord proclaimed, 9 “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”  As if that wasn’t wild enough, a crowd of heavenly hosts appeared praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favour rests.” I can just imagine the shepherds running wildly to the stable and bursting in on the young family with praise and joy, sharing what the angels had said about Jesus. May we, too experience that thrilling joy today!
 
I pray that this Christmas day will be a time of peace and wonder as we think about the birth of Jesus in a humble stable to a young couple with deep faith in each other and in God.  Enjoy the Cedarmount Kids’ sweet rendition of “Away in a Manger.”

Blessings,
Carol Young

 

“Away in a Manger”  Cedarmont Kids