December 24, 2012

Luke 2:1-7

 

"In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered.  This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria.  All went to their own towns to be registered.  Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David.  He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child.  While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child.  And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn."

 

The eve of our Christmas celebration is here, and as we gather for worship this evening, we will hear again of this wondrous birth and sing together the carols of the season. One of those carols is, "What Child Is This?"  What a wonderful question! When you think about it, our celebration of Christ's birth poses all sorts of questions:  "Who is this child whose birthday we celebrate with such glory and grandeur?" "Who is this one who causes such havoc in the shopping malls, in the city streets and in our schedules each December?"  "Who is this one who has entered our world and our lives and caused such an upheaval?" I imagine that there were questions aplenty on the night that Jesus was born, and perhaps that was the first time the question of the carol was asked:  "What child is this?"

Can you imagine what it would have been like to have been a guest at the Bethlehem Hilton that night?  Chances are, you, too, were of the house and lineage of David and had travelled a long distance in order to register for the Emperor's tax.  Following a good meal in the hotel dining room and maybe a quick dip in the Jacuzzi to soothe your tired muscles, you retire to your room, put on your cap, and finally settle in for a long winter's nap.  But out on the courtyard there arose such a clatter, you spring from your bed to see what was the matter.  You dash to your window, throw open the sash, and find yourself blinded by bright lights that flash.  Crowds of bleary—eyed people are gathered around a manger in which a baby is found.  Angels' songs pierce the night's darkness along with a star, as if they're announcing good news, which they are.  Bewildered and wondering at what you've just missed, you return to your bed asking, "What child is this?"  And as you ponder that question while the angels they sing, you join the chorus, singing: "this, this is Christ the king."  Thanks be to God!

 

Prayer:

            Holy God, on that first Christmas you gave us your Son, wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.  As we celebrate his birth, draw us into the mystery of your love that we may lift our voices in joyful praise for the coming of Christ the King.  Amen.