There are some very beautiful things that happen in families that build the Christmas crib as part of their Christmas decorations. This also provides grandparents with a teaching moment where they can take each of the figures and teach the grandchildren the story of Bethlehem.
But there is a downside to all of this. We focus on ourselves rather than beginning with what God is doing. This is first and foremost an act of God. Everyone must stand before the Christmas crib and ask, “and what is God doing here?”
Bethlehem is not sweet nor is it nice. These are people forced by the occupying force (the Romans) to make a trip to be registered – for taxation purposes by the enemy! This is an oppressive journey.
The birth of the child happens in the overflow area, you might say the parking lot, of the local inn. These are poor people who cannot afford the price of a night’s lodging.
As we tell the Christmas story we must put ourselves in the shoes of Mary, Joseph and the shepherds (day labourers). Life was pretty rough and tough in Bethlehem!
God has chosen to be born, fragile and vulnerable, among us, but not among the rich and the powerful. He comes among the working poor of that society.
What kind of statement is God making?
We see what God is doing in the actions and teachings of Jesus. He is actually God with skin on! The central act of God is God pouring out God’s-self to humanity. The birth of Jesus amidst a struggling humanity is God fully immersing God’s-self in the human reality.
God is making a statement that all human beings are wanted and valued. This grates against all societies where there are winners and losers. Everywhere there are groups of people who are under-valued and pushed to the margins. Bethlehem runs counter to the way we organize human society. The geography of the birth makes the statement that God is joined to everyone. beginning with the poor and the forgotten.
The shepherds are not some local business people who have resources and command respect. They were men who were day labourers and struggled to find sufficient work to feed their families. These were people on the edge of survival, and they were not always appreciated by the town people who had some resources and power.
Bethlehem is radical. God breaks into humanity and it does always make us feel comfortable because God’s actions are for everyone, especially the little ones of this world.
The next step of this challenging story is for us to be embraced by the powerful love of God for humanity. Our lives are meant to grow in compassion for the little ones of this earth.
May Christmas just expand your heart and your vision for living.
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