Christmas Eve
24 December 2020
The True Picture
[ Isaiah 9:2-7; Psalm 96; Titus 2:11-14; Luke 2:1-14, (15-20) ]
Luke’s purposeful storytelling of the Messiah’s coming portrays two strikingly different realities. It begins with a census decreed by the powerful Emperor Augustus which leads to a long journey of a young unmarried couple, Joseph and a heavily pregnant Mary, to Bethlehem. There is no place to stay at the end of their long journey, and thus, in today’s terms, they become temporarily homeless. The promised baby, the Son of the Most High and Prince of Peace, is born into a hostile world particularly for those at the margins of the society. There is nothing glorious about the circumstances of the birth of the Messiah.
It invites us to glimpse the glorious moment when heaven and earth meet and rejoice together for the coming of the Messiah who reigns with justice and righteousness.
What makes it glorious is the scene outside. The story moves to the fields where shepherds watch over the flock. There we find an angel of the Lord announcing to the shepherds the good news of the birth of the Messiah for all the people. The glory of God shines around them as the heavenly hosts praise God and the earth responds to the praises. Angels, shepherds, animals, fields and the sky all together are filled with the glory of God. It invites us to glimpse the glorious moment when heaven and earth meet and rejoice together for the coming of the Messiah who reigns with justice and righteousness.
The story juxtaposes the two realities: present grim reality in light of glorious reality. We are invited to see the coming of Jesus Christ in light of heavenly voices joining an earthly chorus. As we celebrate the coming of the Messiah, and as we expect his return, we announce peace on earth and live out the hope we have in light of glorious reality each and every day.
MiJa Wi
Lecturer in Biblical Studies and Mission and Director of ESEA Centre
