Dave preached from Luke 2:6-16 yesterday morning, looking at the shepherds. This forms one of the many scenes of the Nativity which form the the ‘reason for the season’, a scene depicted in countless school plays and church services throughout the world at this time of year. It helps us to see what Christmas is all about. Santa may cater to our material needs, but Christ shows us that we have spiritual needs and He is the way to warmth, joy and peace.
The poor shepherds, separated from their families by the demands of their jobs, were included by God in the miracle of Christ’s birth – not forgotten by Him. The wise men in their wealth and wisdom realised there was something more – they were not forgotten by God. The power of Christmas is such that it includes everyone. It is the power of the ordinary and the humble. As Mary says in the ‘Magnificat’:
“My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant… He has lifted up the humble.He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty.” (Luke 1:45-48, 52-53)
God gave Himself to ordinary folk; God’s gifts often come in simple ways to us and we respond by simply caring for one another and loving one another as He has loved us.