A Sermon for Christmas Eve
The Rev. Patricia A. Gillespie
Isaiah 9:2-4,6-7
Titus 2:11-14
Luke 2:1-14(15-20)
Psalm 96 or 96:1-4,11-12
In all his twelve years Shem had never seen anything like it before: A real angel of the LORD speaking to them, a bunch of poor shepherds. Shem was out with grandfather -- His grandfather was the one all the young shepherds called "the old abba" (we would say "the old daddy"). Anyway, they had all been sleeping out with the sheep when out of the darkness came this awesome brilliant messenger.
Now, Shem was brave. Just having reached manhood this year at age twelve, he had already chased off a hungry wolf, but this angel was something else. They had all been frightened at first, all at least except the stupid sheep who just stood there looking happy.
Yes, even Shem was scared, but the news was so good - joy & peace - the Messiah is here, and the news was so strange - a baby in a manger? Yet Shem was absolutely certain the angel was right. So they all went to see.
And, just like the angel said, there was the baby all bundled up and in a feed trough. Shem tried to explain about the angel to the mother, who looked to be not much older than he was himself. "Uh, there was this angel and it said, ‘unto you is born a son.' (Well, of course to the young mother gazing at the baby, that was rather obvious.) "I mean, this is David's son." And the man beside the manger gave him an odd look.) Shem points to the baby and stutters, "This is our Savior, the Messiah has come!
No one seemed to be listening. Everyone just stood there, staring at the baby. Shem tried again: "Really, listen to me! It's true. There were these angels all over the place singing stuff like ‘Glory to God and peace on earth'"
Silence. Everyone continued to stare at the baby.
Shem looked to Old Abba for help. Shem thought that Old Abba looked just like one of his sheep when the angel came, standing happily in contented silence and staring at the baby.
Old Abba was really old, maybe about forty-five or so, that was more than retirement age for shepherds when Quirinius was governor. He face was creased and leather brown from many years of tending his sheep in the hot Palestinian sun.
But it was his hands that Shem loved. Large, strong hands. With those hands, Old Abba could still hold down even the craziest sheep for shearing.
Gnarled knuckles like twisted tree roots. Gentle hands. Hands that had nursed many a wounded animal and helped many a newborn lamb through a difficult birth. Old Abba's hands had been the first touch known by at least three of his grandchildren, when the midwife arrived late. Old Abba understood about new life. And he was always silent with awe at birthings.
Shem, too, now stood in silence before the baby.
And the baby began to cry. The new mother looked uncertain. After all he'd just been fed and the swaddling clothes had just been changed.
She picked him up, somewhat awkwardly, after all this was her firstborn.
But the crying continued. Shem thought she looked embarrassed. Messiahs aren't supposed to cry. Saviors are supposed to be strong and self sufficient.
Old Abba held out his hands. Strong hands. Gentle hands. The young mother smiled and he took the baby from her cradling the tiny child in just one large hand. And the crying stopped.
Old, gnarled worker's hands comforting, supporting, soothing the helpless, vulnerable, dependent newborn.
Our savior, the promise of life, the promise of peace and joy, entrusted by God into the care of human hands.
Old Abba cradles the child reverently and whispers "my God."
Good news of great joy, my friends: Today Christ is born into our lives. Once again, God becomes helpless and vulnerable as a newborn needing your love. God comes needing love, so that we might learn to love and have joy and peace. God's desire is to be held in your hands and taken into your life.
Do not be afraid. The body of Christ is given for you this day. Reach our your hands to receive God.
Copyright © 1997, 2003 Patricia A. Gillespie
All rights reserved.
May be freely distributed with permission and inclusion of copyright.