God and the Likes of Us

You might have noticed that we didn’t begin the service tonight by singing, “O Come, All Ye Faithful.” I decided it was too limiting: God doesn’t just call the faithful. He calls all of us. You want evidence? Tonight, of all nights, He sends angels to shepherds.

Shepherds aren’t well thought of, particularly by the people who pride themselves on their faithful observance of the Law. Shepherds are too busy out in the fields tending their sheep to follow all those rules and regulations. They aren’t noted for their faithful observance. Nevertheless, on this night, angels sing to shepherds.

And how do the shepherds react? Well, first of all, they’re afraid. They are way more accustomed tobleating sheep than singing angels. But the angels say, “Fear not,” to reassure them. Then the angels entrust the news of Jesus’ birth to them. The clearest, most profound manifestation of God on earth, and who does God tell? The chief priest? The Teachers of the Law? No, shepherds. Do they fling themselves on the ground protesting their unworthiness? Nope. They are simple people. The angels told them to go and see, so they go and see.

What do the shepherds see? A baby in a makeshift crib. No wonder God told shepherds “Unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, who is Christ the King. And this shall be a sign unto you: you shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” No on else would have believed it. The religious folk had a lot of ideas about their long-awaited Messiah, just like some of us do today. This is NOT what they were expecting.

They hoped for a kind of superhero who would kick the bad guys out and prove, once and for all, who was right and who was wrong. (It is interesting to note that the people who most fervently wish this always assume that they will be found right. I wouldn’t want to bet on this. This is a God who sends angels to shepherds.)

So they see this baby, this helpless infant; this tiny being, heir to all the pains and pleasures of growing up like us. And we, who think we know how the story turns out, wonder what God could have been thinking. Doesn’t he know that Herod will try to kill him? Doesn’t He know that people with puny power will send him to his death? What kind of God makes himself vulnerable to the likes of us?

And they see Mary. Mary, who said “yes” to this whole incredible thing. God sent an angel to her, too. And this angel, Gabriel by name, asked—asked—if she would be willing to give birth to God’s son. This is a God who ASKS—not one who demands. And Mary says Yes.

And she keeps saying yes: to Joseph’s moving them to Egypt on the advice of an angel who appears to him in a dream; she says yes to all the drudgery motherhood entails—as well as the delights. She says yes to her son’s unusual life and agonizing death, to his unexpected Resurrection and that parting known as the Ascension. She says yes, as far as we know, to her whole life, in all its humanity, in all its glory. No wonder she is such an example to us.

Our eyes return to the Baby. I always think the most amazing thing about a baby is its infinite possibilities. Maybe that’s why God chose to come in this form: to remind us of our potential. We could begin, right now, to love each other—even our enemies. We could accept that the Kingdom of Heaven is, as Jesus said, within us. We could choose peace in each moment and good will toward all, without exception. And when we fail, we could trust in the kindness of God to forgive us. And when we succeed, we could realize that we are, in that moment, birthing Christ. Then, as the carol says, “The dark night wakes, the glory breaks, and Christmas comes once more.”

And long after we have left this moment, let us remember to listen for angels. After all, they’ve been sent to the likes of us before. Amen.

PROCESSIONAL: While Shepherds Watched #94

GRADUAL O Little Town of Bethlehem #79

OFFERTORY ANTHEM: Before the Marvel of This Night

COMMUNION: Away In a Manger #101, What Child Is This? #115, Silent Night #111

RECESSIONAL: Angels We Have Heard #96

Sr. Maria-Francis

Christmas Eve, 2007

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