At Christmas, we celebrate God's grace made known to us through the person of Jesus. Rather than give up on us as we have done so often to God and others, God comes into the world to be with us. God comes into the world to show us what love means. God comes into the world offering us freedom and salvation.
This Christmas, I draw on the stories about God's grace entering the world as found in Luke and John (see Luke 2:1-20 and John 1:1-17).
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“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness doesn’t extinguish the light” (John 1:5, CEB).
At times we all sit in darkness. Sometimes it is a physical darkness. Sometimes it is a metaphorical darkness.
We struggle with the darkness of depression, of fear, of the unknown. We struggle with the physical darkness of the season. We struggle with the darkness of social and political unrest and uncertainty. We struggle with the darkness of doubt.
As we struggle with the darkness we at times feel lost and alone. For those of us who have lived through this year, we have perhaps felt the darkness of grief and loneliness more keenly than we have at any other time in our lives.
But John reminds us that even when we struggle in darkness and feel lost and alone, we are not truly alone. The darkness cannot completely overcome the light. On the longest and darkest night, there are still the myriad stars and planets piercing the darkness with their light. Even in the darkest times, God is still present for us.
At Christmas, we celebrate this truth. God was not content to leave us struggling. God does not forget or forsake us. In a time of intense darkness for the people of God, a young unwed woman gave birth to a child who would change the world.
Emmanuel, God with us.
Though people were anxiously awaiting the Messiah, the Savior, he did not come into the world as expected. He was not born in a palace. He did not come forth in the Temple. He did not wield power like the Roman occupiers. God came into the world as one of the most vulnerable among us.
Jesus was born in humble surroundings far from the centers of political or religious power. Through him, the light would push back the darkness of the world. The light of God shone through him to enlighten the lives of all people.
"The angel said, “Don’t be afraid! Look! I bring good news to you—wonderful, joyous news for all people" (Luke 2:10, CEB).
The heavenly messengers came to share the news of this momentous occasion with the people of earth. But just as Jesus did not come to the halls of power, the angels did not bring their announcement to the religious or political leaders. The angels came quite literally to those on the margins of society, shepherds sleeping out in the countryside with their flocks at night.
God coming into the world is good news for all people. God is not reserved for the rich or the powerful. God is not confined to the Temple or other places of religious practice. God comes into the world for everyone wherever they may be.
Through the birth, through the announcement of the angels, through the life and ministry of Jesus, God flips our understanding of power and authority on its head. We expect those with power to live in rich surroundings. We expect those with power to command with threat of violence. We expect those with power to lord it over others.
Instead, Jesus comes into the world surrounded by livestock, his arrival announced to shepherds. Throughout his life, we see his power through his acts of love and forgiveness. We see his authority in his teaching and his healing. We follow his example of love and service.
Wherever we find ourselves, that is where God comes to us. This is the good news for all people. Not mighty acts of military authority, but acts of love and grace for people of all statuses.
"From his fullness we have all received grace upon grace" (John 1:16, CEB).
God came down from heaven. Grace.
God entered the world as a vulnerable baby. Grace.
God entered life in the lower room of a house surrounded by livestock. Grace.
God remembers the promises that God has made. Grace.
God does not give up on us. Grace.
God’s presence is announced to those on the margins. Grace.
God forgives. Grace
God continues to reach out to us, to love us, to forgive us, to call to us. Grace upon grace.
As those who believe, as those who follow the example of one who rules by love, we follow the example of Emmanuel, God with us. We do not give up on others. We reach out to and welcome those on the margins. We offer forgiveness. We reach out with love, sharing the light that shines in the darkness.
Grace.