What does it matter?

Luke 2:1-20

Tradition has us trained to think that Mary and Joseph traveled to Bethlehem while she is 9 months pregnant. But I tend to disagree with this notion. No midwife, then or today, would permit such a journey at that time in her pregnancy. So, I suggest an alternative theory.

I suggest that Mary and Joseph traveled from Nazareth to Bethlehem when she was 6 or 7 months pregnant in response to the census. Then, they stayed with family until the baby could be born. They enjoyed being with Joseph’s branch of the family, getting to know cousins and aunts and uncles. They connected with a local midwife who monitored the pregnancy.

We know from recent scholarship that the Greek word traditionally translated as “Inn” actually referred to the guest room, or the upper room. It’s the same word used for the place where the last supper was held, and where the disciples gathered after the crucifixion.

We also know now that there was often a place for the animals in many homes. Bringing them in at night kept them safe from harm and theft, and in the winter kept the family warm. Perhaps with many guests in town, the guest room was full of people gathered for meals.

When the time came for the birth, they would have wanted some privacy. So, the men moved the animals out, cleaned the stable area, and put fresh hay in the manger. The women added some blankets and pillows, some jars of fresh water, and sent for the midwife. The women sent Joseph to join the men elsewhere in the house, and invited him to be with Mary only after mother and baby were cleaned up and ready for company. 

The new little family has a few minutes alone to celebrate, but they are soon joined by other family members, wishing them well and praising God for a safe birth.

Even this time together is interrupted, however, because outside the town some shepherds are having an amazing experience of their own. A host of angels appears before them, and Angel Gabriel invites them to go and see the baby who was just born. Gabriel announces, “This baby is a savior and good news for all people.”

Matthew’s version of the Nativity of Jesus tells the story of some magi who visited the family, probably several months later. The Magi were wealthy people, well-connected to royalty back home in the East, perhaps Persia. The Magi, visiting a new king, welcoming him into the world of power and politics with royal-appropriate gifts. (We’ll talk more about that in a couple weeks.)

But in Luke, the point of the whole story, the earthly presence of the Son of God, is to make sure all are welcome in God’s presence. Beginning with shepherds, who were among the lowest people on the social listing of who’s who, Jesus frequently speaks with, eats meals with, and invites interactions with the poorest and lowliest and outcast people of that time and place.

So, the shepherds leave the fields and head to town to see this new baby. Apparently, they assume the sheep will be safe under the care of the angels while they are gone. … I notice with a chuckle that in this painting, one of the shepherds is a woman with a large basket of eggs – much more usable in the moment than gold, frankincense and myrrh. 

[The Adoration of the Shepherds. Bartolomé Esteban Murillo | Wikimedia Commons]

I usually end the Christmas Eve service with singing “Go tell it on the mountain” remembering what the shepherds did as they left Mary, Joseph, and the baby Jesus. They went through the town back to the fields, glorifying God and singing God’s praises.

Tonight, this week, this year, I hope you spend some time pondering:

What does it mean to you that Jesus Christ has been born,

that he is the Son of God,

and that he sent the Holy Spirit to us to continue his mission and ministry of welcoming all,

even those we think of as outcasts and not worthy of God’s love and mercy?

Amen