To You is Born

Scripture:

Luke 2:8    In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. ⁹ Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. ¹⁰ But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: ¹¹ to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. ¹² This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.” 

Observation:

Luke’s narrative now takes us outside the city of Bethlehem. While shepherds are often used as an analogy for those who lead the church, it appears that God had something else in mind by bringing the good news to these men. Shepherds were generally known as poor commoners, dirty and foul-mouthed, who smelled like the animals within their care. It is to these people that the angel of the Lord appears. This is the third angel to have appeared, so far, in Luke’s gospel. First, in the holy of holies with Zechariah, then with Mary, and now with the shepherds; in each instance moving the center of holiness from the place where only priests could enter, through the obedience of the young woman, and out to God’s ordinary people. No wonder the shepherds were terrified! 

To these ordinary men, the angel pronounces one of the most profound theological statements ever known. This is a statement of great joy, and it is for all of the people! The angel doesn’t say that this is news for the people known as the Jews, or for those in political power, but says “to you” this incredible thing has happened. To you ordinary people, fulfilling the prophecies of old, in the city of David, you will discover your Savior, who, by the way is the long-awaited Messiah, and he happens to be the Lord! It is to the shepherds that this theological pronouncement is made, and it is for them. Then, they are told that they will find the affirmation of this news by way of a sign — that this child will be wrapped in ordinary strips of cloth and will be lying in the place where animals are fed. 

The birth of the Messiah is a foreshadowing of his death and resurrection, the second birth. He will again be wrapped in strips of cloth and then laid in someone else’s tomb. However, on the morning of his resurrection, the strips of cloth will be all that is left in the tomb, and Jesus’ victory will be made complete. 

Application:

It is in every detail of this story that we see Christ’s humility and identification with the common people. The very personal language of the angel, “to you is born…” is powerful. To these poor shepherds God had sent a Savior. The whole Jewish world had been awaiting the arrival of the Messiah and the news is first announced to the poorest of the poor, and they are told that this good news is for them! 

As we celebrate Christmas this week, I wonder if we are thinking about the poorest of the poor. The ads on television seem almost surreal as they appeal to our desire for consumerism. I especially chuckle at the ads for new cars with big bows on top, maybe, because I’ve never known that to happen to anyone and, seriously, who does that without talking with their spouse about their ability to pay for those vehicles!!! It gives the appearance that Christmas is for the affluent who can put up fancy decorations and buy expensive gifts, but that’s not what Christmas is about. 

Over and over again we are reminded that in the kingdom of God, things are upside down. The announcement of the arrival of the Messiah came first to the lowly shepherds. What if we adopted this kind of an attitude in our own lives — that Christmas is about taking the good news to the poorest of the poor within our own communities? Christ’s example, through his humility, is a great reminder that Christmas is not about what we receive, but how much we can give away. 

We also need to embrace this good news for what it means in our own lives. No matter who we are, or what is happening in our own life, to us is born the Savior. Jesus was born for us all. The sign was given for everyone. Will we respond? 

Prayer:

Lord, the personal nature of this announcement reaches through the centuries to my heart. Help me to respond the way that Christ would respond, and give in ways that I may not have thought possible. Amen.