A Few Words On "The Word"

December 25, 2007
The Nativity of the Lord, Year A
Luke 2: 1-14

A King for the Real People

In case you haven’t noticed, our world is filled with various struggles for power. Governments contend for control of other countries. Large corporations buy smaller companies to increase their size and income. The powerful dominate the weak out of a desire for wealth and control.

Though these realities often affect us in ways we cannot understand, we usually don’t consciously notice this inequality in power. However, we do experience power struggles in other ways. Our desire to be popular and liked by others often leads us to trample those we see as somehow insufficient in dress or action. We easily overlook their feelings and opinions. We forget that they are children of God with a share in the kingdom - exactly like us!

Luke’s version of Jesus’ birth tells us a lot about who God is and how God views humanity. Luke firmly establishes that Joseph belongs to the house of King David and thus royal blood flows through Jesus’ veins. Despite this, Jesus comes into the world not within the plush walls of a palace but inside a stable filled with animals and straw. He has no nurse to attend to him. The only visitors who come to see him are shepherds.

In the Jewish culture of Jesus’ day, shepherds were seen as ritually unclean and impure because of their close contact with animals, particularly animal blood. As a result, they were religious outcasts who were not allowed to participate in worship with other Jews. Furthermore, shepherds were poor. In the eyes of society they were little better than people with leprosy. They were at the bottom of the system both socially and religiously. Yet, God sends these humble people to greet his son Jesus.

We see in the shepherds and the condition of Jesus’ birth, God’s willingness to use anyone to build the kingdom, regardless of social status. Often, when we seek to serve those in need we are very conscious of their status. Because of our own place in society we see the poor and oppressed as different from us. As a result, we often forget that the Holy Spirit can work through these people just as he works through us.

We must realize that as a community of believers we all share a role. We are no different from those who are outcast and downtrodden. Turning the table on our social misconceptions, God uses all who are willing to greet the Messiah and build the kingdom of God.

Reflection Question

In what ways can you personally attempt to change the way you view the poor or oppressed as social outcasts?

Join us in our Forum to discuss these questions!