Limping Toward Christmas

When the angels of the Christmas story appeared after the birth of Jesus, they announced to the shepherds, “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” (Luke 2:10-11).

After their revelation, more angels joined in the chorus, singing, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors” (Luke 2:14)!

For decades, I have read and preached that very passage, accepting the angel’s invitation to be joyful and celebrate the news of Jesus’ birth. However, as I grow older, I find myself reflecting more on the journey of Mary and Joseph leading to Jesus’ birth.

Their journey was anything but joyful, and it surely was not peaceful.

While I appreciate the gospel writers’ attempts to place a positive spin on the situation, reality reveals how Mary and Joseph actually limped towards that first Christmas.  

Let’s assess the facts.

Mary and Joseph were betrothed, but not yet married. When Mary announced her pregnancy, questions had to abound.  

While tradition likes to refer to Mary as a virgin, the more accurate description is a woman coming of age. The skeptic in me leads me to think something happened that wasn’t being revealed. The male authors of the story needed to keep up the illusion of Mary’s virginity to perpetuate patriarchal dominance.  

The patriarchal slant to the story stuck, but let the thoughtful reader remember the grave tension of Mary’s pregnancy. Regardless of whether she was a virgin or something else had happened, Mary was carrying a child of questionable birth.  

While we celebrate this part of the story today, it must have been devastating back then. Mary’s betrothed, Joseph, had a decision to make.  

According to the law (written and adjudicated by the patriarchy), he had every right to dismiss Mary. The religious and cultural pressure was certainly extensive.  

Joseph demonstrated his nature by not abandoning Mary. However, Mary was sent away into the hill country of Judea to live with Zechariah and Elizabeth.  

Together, Mary and Joseph decided to buck the system. There would be no separation. There would be no slinking off forever in embarrassment. There would be no abandoning what matters most—their soon-to-be family of three.  

The couple made the conscious decision to move forward, their fate and faith forever linked. With each step of their journey, the shadow of the empire cast its darkness upon them.  

Caesar Augustus decreed that a census should be taken, requiring everyone to register in their ancestral lands. So, Mary and Joseph headed to Bethlehem, the young soon-to-be mother making the journey on a colt. It’s unimaginable how treacherous and painful the journey must have been for Mary.

When they arrived in Bethlehem, they faced even more rejection. There was no room for them in the inn; either it was full, or that’s what the innkeeper told the unwed couple.  

However, Joseph found a stable carved into a cliff. Mary and Joseph would bring their new baby into the world, not among princes and princesses, but among the creatures of the world.

Mary and Joseph did not excitedly run towards the first Christmas; they limped.  

As I look at our world, Mary, Joseph, and Jesus’ predicament resonates. There is so much darkness.

Racism.

Anti-semitism.

Islamophobia.

Religious judgment and shame.

Economic inequality.

Healthcare insecurity.

Hunger.

Homelessness.

War.

Hatred.

Divisiveness.

With Christmas coming into focus next week, I don’t like running towards it. I am limping to the finish line.  And, I do not think I am alone.

Wherever you are in life right now.  

Whatever you’re seeing.

Whatever you’re feeling.  

Whatever you’re experiencing.  

Whether your faith is strong or shaky like mine.

Remember this: 

The Christmas story is for you.  

The Christmas story is not exclusively for the wealthy and well-off. It is for everyone facing the darkness before them, limping their way through life.

But here is the good news.  

No matter whether we run or limp, when we arrive on Christmas morning, the story ends the same for everyone.

Darkness does not win.

A light shines in the night sky.

Caesar does not win.

Empire does not win.

Religion does not win.

Judgment does not win.

Oppression does not win.

None of them do.

God turned the tables on the world on that first Christmas.

The unwed, uneducated, and impoverished family of Mary, Joseph, and Jesus took the global stage with heaven and nature taking notice. We followed suit after the struggle.  

Friends, keep crawling, keep limping…Christmas is coming.

Merry Christmas.