Christmas

Preparation

    Please begin by reading Luke 2:1-20 in your Bible. If you do not have one at hand, we have provided that text for you at the end of this reflection.

Reflection--The Gift

   There is a corner of my mind, and perhaps of yours, that still lives in childhood wonder at Christmas; a tree, gifts, the expected arrival of “Santa,” a fire in a fireplace, candles, wonderful smells coming from the kitchen, memories of loved ones now gone.  I remember carols, the Christmas story being read, and a manger scene under the tree.  There were cold Christmas Eve nights when snow crunched under my feet and I looked up and saw the stars with crystal clarity.  I was somehow aware in those moments of the awesome presence of God in the universe; half expecting at any minute to see an angelic chorus singing about peace and good will.

How can we recapture that kind of wonder in these turbulent times with all the events that swirl around us?  Where is the reality of peace and good will?  Wars continue.  Demented people are still killing others, claiming to murder in God's name.  Strife swirls even in the holy land and the ancient town of Bethlehem.

So how do we get back to the Bethlehem of memory?  Where do we find the fulfillment of the ancient promise that the baby born in a humble manger was the One who would bring peace?  Was it a false promise?

Recently I found a good answer in a little story someone forwarded to me by e-mail.  (Yes, God uses technology now.)  The story is called “Real Peace.”  It was written by someone named J. Krishnamurti Adyar.  I know nothing else about the author, but the insight in this simple story is profound.  Here it is.

There once was a king who offered a prize to the artist who would paint the best picture of peace.  Many artists tried.  The king looked at all the pictures.  But there were only two he really liked, and he had to choose between them.  One picture was of a calm lake.  The lake was a perfect mirror for peaceful towering mountains all around it.  Overhead was a blue sky with fluffy white clouds.  All who saw this picture thought that it was a perfect picture of peace.

The other picture had mountains, too.  But these were rugged and bare.  Above was an angry sky, from which rain fell and in which lightning played.  Down the side of the mountain tumbled a foaming waterfall.  This did not look peaceful at all.

But when the king looked closely, he saw behind the waterfall a tiny bush growing in a crack in the rock.  In the bush a mother bird had built her nest. There, in the midst of the rush of angry water, sat the mother bird on her nest - in perfect peace.

The king chose the second picture.  “Because,” explained the king, “peace does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble, or hard work.  Peace means to be in the midst of all those things and still be calm in your heart.  That is the real meaning of peace.”

The pastoral peace of Bethlehem on that first Christmas may live on now only as a childhood dream.  War and hatred and violence have continued through the centuries.  But still, if someone should ask me if God’s Christmas promise of peace is still trustworthy, I would answer yes.  We just have to refocus where we look.  The peace that Jesus gives to us is peace in our hearts.  Chaos is everywhere, and it may be so until Jesus returns at the end of time.  And yes, there are times when I am frightened and weak.  But then there is that nudge in my spirit that says “Be calm.  I am still here.  Even if the end should come, I will be here to take you home.”

So Jesus still offers the gift of peace; peace for our hearts.  It is still a wondrous gift.  It is the one I pray we each will claim this Christmas.

revclay

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Luke 2:1-20

        And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.  (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)  And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.  And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem (because he was of the house and lineage of David) to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. 

    And so it was that while they were there the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.  And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. 

    And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.  And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. 

    And the angel said unto them, "Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.  And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger."  And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,  "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." 

    And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, "Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us." 

    And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.  And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.  And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 

    But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.  And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.  [KJV]