…and [Mary] 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. (Full story: Luke 1-20)
Jesus is God walking in somebody else’s shoes. Think about it. When God comes to earth, God could choose every form God likes! God could come as a princess, surrounded by servants who brush her long wavy hair, apply her make up, and help her dress in her golden outfit. God could come as general, leading a large and dangerous army and destroying everything in his way. God could come as a business woman, a famous actor, God could be all people.
But God chose to be Jesus, son of Mary and Joseph. God chose to be born in a manger, by a woman, with no nurse or doctor or midwife around to help. God chose the company of animals, ox and donkey.
The only time we hear of God’s glory and might in this story is when God sends his heavenly hosts, and what that means, is, his army of angels, to tell the shepherds the good news about the birth of Jesus. Because, in the olden days, that is how angels were imagined: They were God’s messengers, servants, protectors and, yes, soldiers. And this mighty army of angels did not proclaim the good news of Jesus’ birth to the Roman Emperor Augustus, or Quirinius, the governor of the area where Jesus’ family lived. No, this splendid display of glory and power and beauty is revealed to some local sheep and shepherds. Humble folks, who understandably are quite frightened when the heavenly army descends upon them. For angels in the bible sometimes look like winged people, but sometimes, the have faces like eagles and lions and oxen; and sometimes they look like pure flames or burning swords or wheels. What is a poor shepherd to think, when the heavens open and winged creatures and flaming swords descend upon him? Of course they must assume that this will just be another occupying army, just like the Babylonians, and the Egyptians, and the Romans, this time more powerful than all others, send out for plunder and destruction. But here is where the shepherds got it wrong! The heavenly hosts do not bring destruction, they bring peace, and joy, and the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ, God on earth. All the display of power and might points to a little baby! The messenger angel says; Do not be afraid! I am bringing you good news! And then the shepherd and their sheep go see for themselves: The angels lead them to the manger, and shepherds and sheep witness to the newborn baby Jesus. Just imagine the scene: A rural barn, in the middle of nowhere, full of poor folks and animals, and surrounded by armies of powerful angels, some of them flaming, in all their beauty and splendor, singing songs of praise and peace.
God in all God’s might chooses to come to earth as one of us: The child of a wood worker and a young woman; a child, which will grow up in simple circumstances, in an occupied country. As a young man, he calls his people to repent, to change their ways. They shall not strive for power and riches anymore. They shall not destroy land and people. They shall share what they have and bring peace to the world! He also questions the rules of his religion which allow some people access to the temple and others not. He empowers those who are denied access: People of different ethnicities and races, people suffering from medical or mental conditions, children and women. His words and actions are so powerful, that the local authorities conspire to kill him. They believe, that Jesus’ message will die with Jesus. But Jesus is God, walking in human shoes. His message sticks. As Jesus, God explains and shows things in ways that we understand! This is why God did not choose to be a rich or famous person. God wanted to be just like one of us, so that we would understand. And even though we often resist it, Jesus’ message of love for all has stayed with us ever since. It still guides our ways today. It makes us want to walk in other people’s shoes, so that we can better understand what their life looks like, as Jesus did.
Imagine yourselves in somebody else’s shoes. Children, imagine yourselves in your parent’s shoes. Supervisors, imagine yourselves in your employee’s shoes. Soldiers, imagine yourselves into the shoes of the ones you call enemies. What does it mean to be them? What would you have to do in the morning, during the day, in the evening if you were them? What challenges do they face? What fun things do they experience? To love one another in the Jesus way is to put one-selves in another person’s shoes. It is to acknowledge, respect and share other people’s joys and sorrows. It is to step outside of our convictions, opinions and certainties from time to time, and to imagine ourselves in a new and different way. It is to show gratitude to each other, and not take one another for granted. It is to love one another as Jesus loves us. I wish you a very merry Christmas and many blessings in the year to come. Amen.
