by Bishop Bill Gohl
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. – Luke 2:1
In all of the hundreds of times I’ve heard these words, spoken these words to expectant Christmas crowds, I’ve never given much thought to Quirinius, governor of Syria.
Until now.
Syria is much on our collective minds. The images out of Aleppo assault our Away in a Manger moments, confronting us with images of children bloodied and orphaned by humanity's inhumanity toward one another. The mention of Syria – although it could easily be Berlin, Paris, Tel Aviv, Tripoli, Sandy Hook, Orlando - prevents me from even hearing, let alone imagining "peace on earth, good will to all."
I've never forgotten a Christmas sermon I heard when I was in seminary: the preacher told the adults in the pews to leave Baby Jesus in the manger for the children to enjoy. She urged us to focus on the work of the grownup Jesus, to minister to the poor, the hungry, the suffering.
I’ve come to understand that the real work of Christmas is to honor both – the baby in a manger and the baptized Jesus on a mission.
Christmas is for the child in all of us. We just can't forget that every child is our child, not just the one in the manger.
In the midst of nostalgia, carols, candles and credit card bills, the real work of Christmas can get lost.
Dr. Howard Thurman, a theologian, educator, and civil rights leader, describes the work of Christmas in his own sermon, "Now the Work of Christmas Begins."
When the song of the angels is stilled, when the star in the sky is gone, when the kings and princes are home, when the shepherds are back with their flocks, the work of Christmas begins: to find the lost, to heal the broken, to feed the hungry, to release the prisoner, to rebuild the nations, to bring peace among the people, to make music in the heart.
I certainly am not trying to rob any of us of a Merry Christmas, nor a Happy New Year. I am, however, reminded in a new way that this old, old story of God’s love for you, me and the world begins in a way that seems eerily familiar in this world we find ourselves in today: 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...
The work of Christmas begins when we hear words like "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," and recognize in such a prophetic hope our responsibility to share such a gift with our neighbor, near and far, doing our part to effect "peace on earth, goodwill to all."
This Christmas and throughout 2017, as we live in challenging times and our neighbors' needs are magnified, may God bless each of us with courage and conviction to do our part.
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. – Luke 2:1-20