Observations From the First Christmas – Sunday, December 13, 1981
For almost two thousand years men have told the story of the Christ child’s birth. The shepherds, the wisemen, the angels, Joseph, Mary and the baby Jesus are all familiar figures to us. They are people we have seen through the eyes and hands of the artists, composers and writers through the centuries. But suppose for a moment our situations were reversed and those familiar figures in the nativity scene that have been painted so many times looked out at us. What, do you suppose, would they see? What would they say?
The shepherds kneeling by the manger would perhaps remind us that God is no respecter of persons. Though they are but humble herdsmen, they hold a place of prominence in this scene and throughout history as the first to hear of the holy birth.
The wise astronomers from the east might tell us to use our minds and search for knowledge; learn all we can of earth and heaven. We may find through study, secret treasures of truth as they did. The stars that holy night were there for all to see, but only those who sought and understood the sign and followed it discovered its glorious secret.
What would the man at Mary’s side say to us? This noble husband who endured the gossip and tongue wagging because his beloved and betrothed conceived the child in a way they did not understand. Joseph might tell us to be faithful in our duty even though we may not know the purposes of the Lord until they are gloriously fulfilled.
And what of Mary cradling the Christ child in her arms. She so recently returned from the valley of the shadow of death to bring forth life. Would she remind us, as mothers have always reminded us, of the precious gift each child is to the world?
And last, what would the baby say? Even without words His message to us would be perhaps the most eloquent of all. This intricate little body, this bright new spirit would remind us that we all come here as William Wordsworth said, “Not in entire forgetfulness, and not in utter nakedness, but trailing clouds of glory…from God who is our home.”1
And beyond the miracle that is every baby’s birth would be the message of this, the coming of the Son of God, bringing his celestial radiance to a stable.
For this is the most glorious message of all; this promise of peace on earth, and the love of God for all His children.
Let us listen this Christmas—listen to these messages from the manger; for in this simple, sacred scene of husband and wife and newborn child lie the wellsprings of hope for the human race.
1“Ode Intimations of Immortality”, V. William Wordsworth, quoted in Great Treasury of Western Thought, Adler and Van Doren, R R Bowker, New York, 1977, p 50.
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December 13, 1981
Broadcast Number 2,730