Responding to the birth of Jesus

There are a number of areas we could explore in today's readings. We could look at the roles of stars and dreams, and how we respond to them in our lives. We could look at who these so called wise men, the Magi, the travellers from the East might be. The East is where most of the invaders came in Israel's history. We could look at the difference between the birth narratives in Luke’s gospel with shepherds, and the journey to Bethlehem for the census, and Jesus being born in a stable; and Matthew's version of the Nativity with little detail about the lead up to the birth, and then this information about the visit of the Magi and the escape to Egypt and the massacre of the infants.

This morning I want us to think about the way different people responded to the birth of Jesus. In early December we read from Luke’s gospel where the Angel asked Mary about being the bearer of the God-child. And while Mary thought this impossible, she said yes, and then when Jesus was born, Luke again tells us that Mary cherished all this in her heart.

The Sunday before Christmas we looked at Joseph, with a reading from Matthew chapter 1. We read of his concern about Mary being pregnant, how he was going to dismiss her quietly, then he too received a visit from an Angel and he took Mary to be his wife. After the birth of Jesus and the visit of the Magi, it is Joseph who has another dream, this time a dream to take the child and his wife and to go to Egypt. The section following from what we heard today includes another dream of Joseph’s, telling him it is safe to take his family to Nazareth.

Some other characters from Luke's story are the innkeeper and the shepherds. We don't hear much about the innkeeper, Mary and Joseph were having trouble finding somewhere to stay, and the innkeeper that we hear about offers them some room. Room out the back with the animals. Luke is also the one who tells us about the shepherds. The shepherds were visited by angels, and after their initial shock they travelled to see the new baby. We are told the shepherds returned to their jobs praising and glorifying God.

In Matthews gospel the other people we meet are Herod and the Magi. The Magi were visitors from the East, we actually know very little about them. Today people who study the stars as these men did, are called astrologers. The Magi had seen a star in the sky, and from their charts they knew that this was something special. They followed the star, and when they realised they were in Israel they went to the place where a King would be expected to be born, Jerusalem, where the current ruler was. They asked around Jerusalem where is the new King. When Herod heard this he wanted to know more because he knew nothing of a new King. Herod's advisers or able to pinpoint the place where the child would be born, they knew this because they knew the Scriptures. The Magi had travelled an unknown distance, following a star, in a quest to worship the new King. And while the King was not where they expected, in a Palace, they still worshipped him when they visited his home.

The Magi were people who were used to searching, who searched the sky at night for movements of the stars, who used maps and charts to try and understand what the sky was saying. These were spiritual people who took note of their dream,  not to go back to Herod but to take another road home.

The final character that I want us to look at is Herod. Herod was King at the time and quite curious about the visit of the Magi. Herod was frightened when he heard there was a new King of the Jews. While he asked the Magi to let him know where the child was,  so that he could go and worship; we know that Herod had different intent. For Herod this new baby was a potential rival, and Herod wanted rid of it.

How are we responding this Christmas to the birth of Jesus. For each of us is asked to respond afresh each year and each day. During Advent one of the children asked if Jesus really would be born this year – the answer to that is within each one of us. Sure in a physical sense, Jesus was not born as  a baby in a town in Judea. But if we take seriously the idea of Jesus being born within us, what are the implications for us on a day-to-day basis, in what ways is this show in our lives.

Who are we in the Christmas story this year?

[ picture on screen - http://www.reverendfun.com/index.php?date=20101224]Are we like the animals, thinking this the coolest thing we have ever seen?

Are we like the Magi, searching for signs, prepared to travel, willing to worship?

Are we like the shepherds, surprised that this event has happened, focusing on our daily tasks. And when God surprises us we respond with praise. We go back to our daily tasks with a new joy.

Are we like the innkeeper, distracted, not wanting to be interrupted, trying to put God in the background, so as not to interfere with our lives.

Are we like Herod, fearful of what the God-child means, fearful that our way of life is under threat.

Are we like Joseph, worried about what people will say about us, taking some tentative steps. Growing in faith as we put our trust in God.

Are we like Mary, while considering the whole idea impossible, being obedient to God, saying yes to God, remembering and treasuring all that happens to us.

The birth of Jesus provokes a variety of responses, enthusiasm, panic, praise, fear, trust.

When Jesus is born in our lives, we can pretend it isn't happening, we can keep it to ourselves, or we can live fully in the new life that is growing within us. If we live fully in the life that we are offered in Jesus it will be evident in the way that we live: our lives will glorify God, not just in our words but in our actions. For when we allow the God-child to be born within us, to live and grow, some people will be threatened by us. When we acknowledge Jesus as King, the rulers of the world, those currently with power, will be fearful.

How are you responding to Jesus this Christmas; which character most represents you?