Christmas Day | Author: Sara Tirpak
Reading: Luke 2:1-20
Meditation
“So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea to Bethlehem, the town of David because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her first born, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.”
Wow. As I read this passage and reflect on the idea of belief and feeling being both intertwined and also falling apart, I think of how Mary and Joseph must not have been able to rely on their feelings as they were traveling away from their home for a census…while she was pregnant…before they were married…with nowhere to stay… and ultimately giving birth in a stable. I can only imagine that there were many instances where they ultimately had to choose to believe God’s plan for them and this baby, not because of their feelings in the moment but because they chose to believe.
And then contrast that with the shepherds’ experience: ”An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.” Followed by angels appearing, praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest heaven and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” I can only imagine that for the shepherds, they were driven to go find baby Jesus because of their feelings and their beliefs being intertwined in that moment from the powerful and emotional presence of a heavenly host of angels praising God.
As I think through, wrestle with, and grow in my faith, I am reminded that I will have times where I might feel like Mary and Joseph, who were put in difficult circumstances where God’s plan asked them not to rely on their feelings or circumstances but to chose to believe and act – and I will have times where I might feel like the shepherds, who clearly saw God’s message through the presence of the heavenly host. As a result, their feelings intertwined with their beliefs and drove them to action. I pray that we as a church will continue to wrestle with this tension of faith and doubt – and to remember that at the birth of Jesus, God made himself equally real to both Mary and Joseph as well as the shepherds – but in very different ways.
Prayer
Holy God, you met Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds in such different ways. Meet us in the ways we need you today. When our faith feels fragile, give us the courage to believe. Remind us that your Son is with us. Draw our hearts toward you and deepen our faith this Advent season. Amen.
