Christmas I Nativity

Christmas I – Nativity 2017 – Cycle ABC Isaiah 9:1-6; Psalm 96; Titus 2:11-14; Luke 2:1-14

“And she gave birth to her firstborn son…”  A very human moment. The simple statement of which reveals how profound birth is.  The ordinary infused with mystery.

How often the writers of the gospels make such matter of fact statements.

“It was nine “o’clock in the morning when they crucified him”.  [Matthew 15: 25] “And Jesus wept”.  [John 11:35] “And he was transfigured before them…”.  [Mark 9:2; Matthew 17: 2]  “And Mary pondered all these things, reflecting on them in her heart”.  [Luke 2:19] “When the soldiers crucified Jesus, they took his clothes…” [John 19: 23] “…Jesus breathed his last”.  [Mark 15:37]

The silence that envelops these stark reports speak more eloquently than the surrounding details.  Their somberness invites us to ponder in our hearts, as Mary did, the meaning of the events.  For are not all these narratives about birth?

A woman pushes forth a new human being into this vast universe. An uneasy, unexpected experience challenges preconceptions to birth new insights. Tears and grief drive a desire only found in hope. A mother ponders in her heart; giving meaning to an emerging faith. Death draws us reluctantly toward eternity.

It is Christmas.  Christmas is about birth as Isaiah tells us “a child is born to us…”.  And who does not want to go and see a newborn baby and gaze upon their face; everyone huddling around to look?

I spent a lot of time in silence the last two weeks of my mother’s life sitting on the couch and just looking at her.  Gazing.  Wondering.  What is the meaning of all this?  I expect she did the same when I was an infant or even later as a college student or adult sleeping on the couch.

So this Christmas, I invite you to spend time in silence and look – linger for a while, gaze and wonder.  Whether in church or at home, come and look at the manger scene.  Gaze upon the various figures.  Let your children point out what they see.  What do you see?  Don’t be in a hurry to move on.  Don’t explain anything.  Just look.  Remain with the scene and contemplate.

Look at your children – at whatever age they are.  Whether an infant sleeping and yawning carelessly or an adult child unaware of your gaze through a window or doorway.  Silently remain and watch.  Let the silence speak to your heart and let the ordinary open you to the mystery of new life.

Children, look upon your parents.  Dad having fallen sleeping during the football game. Mom puttering in the kitchen.  Contemplate meaning.

Spouses, catch each other unawares and gaze at the person with whom you fell in love. Let the silence speak to your heart and let the ordinary rekindle your first love and the mystery of life.

Catch a glimpse of the stranger, the coworker, the friend, doing ordinary things. Just look.  Remain with them and contemplate.  This is not about doing anything.  Just take in the mystery.

“It was nine “o’clock in the morning when they crucified him”.“And he was transfigured before them…”.

“And she gave birth to her firstborn son…”