Terry Paul Choyce
Dec. 24, 2007, Brunswick Street United Church
The Gospel of Luke tells us that on the night of Jesus's birth in a stable in Bethlehem, there were shepherds in the hills outside of the town, tending their flock. In those days shepherds were mostly uneducated, they did not have much money, and they lived rather simple lives. We have mental images of shepherds playing flutes, relaxing as they watched their sheep. It was their job to protect the herd from wolves and thieves and storms, which probably were not often problems. The sheep needed grass to eat and water to drink, which the shepherds made sure they had. I imagine being a shepherd was largely a very peaceful occupation.
God chose these men to be the first to know about the birth of Jesus. Angels appeared with the wonderful news of the new saviour who would bring peace to the world. I am sure seeing angels was not an everyday occurrence for these shepherds. I can only imagine how overwhelmed and incredulous the men must have been to have first one, then many angels come to them with this incredible news. So of course they had to find this baby who was sent by God.
The Gospel of Matthew tells us that wise men came from the East because they saw an unusual star, and for some unknown reason, they believed it was an indicator that a baby had been born who was to be the leader of the Jews. These men must have been well educated and also wealthy. We do not know where they came from, or if they were even Jewish.
They made the mistake of first going to King Herod, who was a brutal murderer, having even killed his own sons, because he did not want anyone to inherit his power and wealth. The birth of this "King of the Jews" was not happy news for Herod, and it resulted in the deaths of many male babies in Israel. But from Herod's priests the wise men were told that the leader of the Jews was to be born in Bethlehem. The wise men went to Bethlehem, where they found Mary and Joseph and the infant Jesus. They gave them gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
Were the shepherds and the wise men together in the manger, as we see depicted in every nativity scene? No. The wise men had to travel to get to Bethlehem, and back then trips took a long time. When Herod sent out the order for the babies to be murdered, he ordered all babies under the age of two to be killed. But having the shepherds and the wise men there at the same time is not significant.
What I think is important is that God chose to tell two types of people about the birth of Jesus. He told poor, uneducated men - the shepherds, and well educated and wealthy men, who may have not even been from Israel. He chose people who went from one extreme to another in lifestyle and possibly religions. To me, this tells us that God wanted all people, regardless of who or what they are, to have their hearts opened by the love of Jesus.
Jesus came to teach everyone how to love God, each other, and themselves. This good news is not just for those who are Christians - back then of course there were no Christians. This message of love is for all people, everywhere. It is the message of bringing peace on earth. It is the belief of love and equality that has to include everyone. So let us rejoice in the birth of the baby Jesus, and let us all open our hearts to love.
