Christmas Musing #29 Things Hidden

 ²⁵ At that time Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; ²⁶ yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. Matthew 11:25-26 English Standard Version

               Birth is a time of peril, and more importantly of great joy. Recently a good friend of mine anxiously sweated out the birth of his first grandchild. For medical reasons, they induced labor. I thought that meant a quick delivery…not always the case. For a couple of days, we got regular updates and eventually the longed-for text, “I can hear the cry of my grandson.” We all rejoiced and sent congratulatory texts. It was a moment of great celebration. I remember a few years ago when the world waited with great anxiousness the birth of a new member of the British Royal Family. Once things were complete, the Royal Family heralded the birth of a new king with great fanfare and proclamations around the globe. The royal line secured; all their realm breathed a great sigh of relief. A son had been born and the throne would pass on to a new generation without break or chaos. I remember sitting on the floor of our quarters in Germany, calling my parents after the birth of my son, a moment of relief and great rejoicing. We love sharing the great news of a new generation, a torch passed, a family expanded.

               God is not any different. When Jesus was born, God wanted to share the good news. His son, the messiah, Immanuel, was safely delivered. We like to share good news with important people, people who will rejoice with us. In the Army we carry on a tradition of the Cup-n-Flower-Fund. Part of what we do is rejoice with one another, giving new members of the military family a small remembrance of a new birth. So, when Jesus made His entry into our reality, God looked around for someone to share the good news with. Here is where it gets interesting.

               Think of all the major personalities of the first century, Caesar, Herod, and the leaders of the Jews, Pharisees, Sadducees, and Herodians. These are the beautiful people of the age. You would think that God would send them an invitation to see His newborn son. No, they did not get one because they did not get it. God sends an invite to the shepherds. “⁸ And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. ⁹ And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. Luke 2:8-9 God picked the lowest members of the community to send a special invite. Of course, they were quite frightened, but what an honor, to be on God’s shortlist for an invite to see His newborn son. In His interaction with the shepherds, God shows us something important; God seeks those with humble hearts to share the good news with. The proud and high up do not rate the special call. There is something about the lowly, meek, and downtrodden that draws God’s heart.

               Advent ought to focus us on the marginalized of our society, after all God reached out to them first. Cast your mind back to that dark night in the Judean hill country. All is quiet and peaceful. Perhaps you gaze up into the stars in wonder. Perhaps you simply stand watch over the sheep trying to keep from dozing off, when suddenly the dark night is rent and the glory of the Lord shines all around and you find yourself face to face with the Herald Angel. Life will not be the same. As always, Advent changes things.