Scripture
Luke 2: 8-18
(By Dave, 15-20 min)
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “
Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.
A different communication
I used to teach several courses to future healthcare practitioners. One was about reading and understanding medical research. It was not difficult but organizationally a challenge. On the first day of class I would help by introducing everyone to the flow of the course. The complicated interplay between lectures, student presentations, exams and projects were all plotted out. A very typical way to start a college course.
I also taught Neuroscience, an organizationally straightforward course but content-wise very challenging. Much harder to understand than research. When you teach a difficult course, the reputation of it lingers among the underclassmen and trepidation builds in many. A different opening-day experience was needed.
After a brief introduction to course organization, I would usually do something a bit outlandish. One year I played a video from Pinky and the Brain. If you are unfamiliar with this cartoon it ran from 1995 to 1998 and featured two mice; one brilliant and the other ridiculously stupid. The producers made a remarkably accurate and funny tour through the nervous system. Like a professor, Brain pulled out his pointer and started to pontificate about all the structures in the nervous system to the tune of Camp Town Races. Every time “Do Dah” was sung in Camp Town Races, Pinky descended into the scene from a bunjie and screamed brainstem, brainstem instead.
The entire class was chuckling away by the time it was done, but most importantly I looked out over a sea of grinning and/or puzzled faces. Trepidation had been replaced with amusement or a “what am I to make of this” expression. Mission accomplished because no one in the class was thinking about how hard the course was going to be.
The changing communication
God changes his communication between the New and Old Testament almost as if he too were teaching a new course with the birth of Christ. In the Old Testament God’s communications are designed to reveal his presence and nature to the world through his chosen people. His natural revelations are dramatic and the justice depicted uncompromising. The birth of Christ is announced with a very different tone. Two passages from adjacent chapters in Isaiah are illustrative of the changing communication that will accompany Christ:
(Isaiah 8:13-16) The LORD Almighty is the one you are to regard as holy, he is the one you are to fear, he is the one you are to dread. He will be a holy place; for both Israel and Judah he will be a stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall. And for the people of Jerusalem he will be a trap and a snare. Many of them will stumble; they will fall and be broken, they will be snared and captured.” Bind up this testimony of warning and seal up God’s instruction among my disciples.
(Isaiah 9:6-7) For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end.
Communicating a new thing
Mary
Like Isaiah 9:6-7, God’s communications opening the New Testament are tender as if he knows we are filled with Old Testament trepidation reminiscent of my neuroscience students. The announcement of the birth of Christ is as personal and familiar as the Old Testament is fearsome. A new thing is about to happen and God’s communications shift dramatically.
Gabriel arrives to talk with Mary and starts his announcement this way: “Greetings you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” (Luke 1:28). In comparison, here are the opening remarks from God to Abraham (then Abram): “Go from your country and your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you. I will make you a great nation and I will bless you. I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.” (Genesis 12:1-2).
Mary is greeted while Abraham is directed. The Old Testament style of communication is no longer appropriate to announce the birth of Christ because God’s purpose was not to reveal his presence and character to a world who did not know him. His purpose with Christ is to enter that world and save it.
Mary is surprised and puzzled by God’s new approach: ‘Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be.’ (Luke 1:29). As she struggles to understand, a gentle explanation is delivered: “Do not be afraid Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son and you are to call him Jesus.” (Luke 1:30-31). When the virgin wonders how this can possibly be she is told: “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the son of God.” (Luke 1:35)
Abram experienced a birth miracle when his elder wife gave birth to a son, but the boy was biologically his and Sarai’s. Mary was told she will bear God’s son conceived by the Spirit of God. God himself will be in her womb and carry her genes. It doesn’t get more personal than that, and Gabriel’s words reflect the intimacy of what God is about to do in her and the world.
Shepherds
The announcement of the birth of Jesus to the rest of the world is likewise different from Old Testament announcements. Then, tents were indwelt by his Spirit. Plagues demonstrated his power. Manna from heaven revealed his care and sustenance for people, and etchings in stone his law. Famous priests and prophets then carried his message and principles to common men and women. Now God was going to walk with humanity directly, a living being in their presence with whom they could relate.
Today’s Scripture verse initially announces this change with an Old Testament flare. The glory of God shines so bright it terrifies those who see it. Here though, God’s presence is not the holiest of holy to be gazed upon by only the purified and anointed. Here the glory of God is not to be feared for it comes to celebrate: “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
The news of God’s unique action overcomes heaven and its host cry out: Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” I wonder if the host felt a bit like the Allied forces entering concentration camps after World War II. Emaciated, broken people were now liberated. The films of these exchanges show the Allied forces reaching out in compassion wrapping blankets around the shoulders of half-naked people. It seems the host from heaven are likewise filled with compassion and joy that God is about to enter our world and save us from sin.
let it fill you
I can feel the joy of God’s new communications particularly so this year. I met my granddaughter for the first time several months after she was born last spring. During her visit I would sometimes sing her to sleep for her nap. As I walked back and forth across the room her little eyes stared intently into mine. Maybe it was just me reading into it, but the restlessness that tired babies experience eased as I got to the third verse of the old hymn Blessed Assurance:
Perfect submission, all is at rest
I in my Savior am happy and blest
Watching and waiting, looking above
Filled with His goodness, lost in His love
God’s gentle, comforting communication came from me this time. You are saved and loved by God sweetheart, so rest easy. Babies have a special way of looking at you that leaves one wondering if at some level you are connecting more deeply than two grown-ups ever could. Tears eased from eyes as I envisioned her soul instinctively responding to the simple human words trying to convey what Mary treasured in her heart and the Angels couldn’t hold back from the shepherds.
My granddaughter doesn’t have to fear the Old Testament because God walked among us. She can hear its communications and respond but never worry that God is without empathy or will not forgive. He joined us on Christmas Day and walked through life as a human. She can be “happy and blest” in her Savior for he knows everything she will encounter and understands.
Sing with the angels
Every year at Christmas time we are reminded to look into the eyes of the infant Christ and see the perfect soul within who gave everything for us. The time of sadness for how he had to save us is not now. Now is the time to join the Angels in celebration to the glory of God. Now is the time to be like the shepherds and spread joy into everyone’s life.
So let’s decorate our houses, buy gifts for each other, and send cards. Pick up the phone and call people we haven’t talked to or better yet ask to see them. Hug the people in church instead of shaking their hands. I think we should let it all burst forth the same way the heavenly host couldn’t hold back in celebration for our salvation. God chose a different form of communication to announce his son because his son’s presence in the world is an immeasurable joy. Our ways of communicating during this season of remembrance should be equally special, tender and joyous.
So, Merry Christmas everyone. May your hearts be filled with the love of Christ as you celebrate the season of our Lord. Jesus didn’t come as God did in the Old Testament to reveal, he came like my granddaughter did to share life with us so that when the Old Testament comes a calling in our minds we can know that our Savior understands what it means to be human. I hope your celebration this year fills your heart with tender joy that spreads far and wide to everyone you encounter.
May God be with you this very special time of the year and every day on your faith journey.
Dave
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