To
read: Luke 2:1-20
In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world
should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while
Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered.
Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of
David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of
David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was
expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her
child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of
cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for see - I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!"
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us." So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
Text from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
To think about:
Today's text barely mentions Joseph, but as I read the text, I recalled one of
my favorite Christmas songs, "Joseph's Song." Written by contemporary Christian
music composer Michael Card, the text of this song expresses what the composer
perceives as Joseph's quandary at the birth of the Child - the baby now asleep
in his arms is not his own, not the flesh of his flesh, or bone of his bones.
Joseph utters his wonder and awe at being the earthly father of the Son of God,
asking God to guide him as this baby becomes the child of his love. But each
time I hear the song, one line especially resonates in my faith journey:
"Father, show me where I fit into this plan of yours…" On this day of
celebration and festivity, it is good for us to pause amidst the presents and
feasting and consider how we fit into the world of God's creation, how we
continue the love of this amazing Child born to bring peace and a service-filled
faith to an aching and scarred world.
