Photo by Sharon Delgado
I greet you during this season of celebration. Our indoor “Christmas plant” with its lights and ornaments cheer me, along with candles, evergreen boughs, and other simple decorations. Two days ago I celebrated my birthday quietly with a few family members, then yesterday the Winter Solstice with music and carols, and today I spent happily with grandchildren who are off school while their parents are working. Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are coming. After Christmas we have two more December birthdays, including a big one. We have relatives coming from Puerto Rico, so for us it will be party, party, party until the New Year. I am grateful to God and I count every day as a blessing.
Still, I refuse to avoid facing the reality of the darkness that continues to descend, not just through the actions of a single Nero-like ruler but through the corrupt system that brought him to power. The current multi-faceted crisis has been years in the making, and it will take organized actions by people like you and me working together to make possible the liveable world that we want to see. This vision is part of the Christmas tradition expressed in the angel’s words to the shepherds about the meaning of Jesus’ birth: “peace on earth, goodwill toward all.”
The vision of such a world is all around us: in the outreach of food and gifts to people in our communities who are in need, in the coordinated efforts to protect immigrants and others who are being violently attacked, in peacemaking efforts to stop a massive war machine, in continuing efforts to counter climate policies that threaten human civilization and life on earth. Those of us engaged in these activities publicly risk being targeted by the Trump Administrations’ expanding definition of “domestic terrorism.” Still, In the words of Bob Marley, it is essential that we “Don’t Give Up the Fight”. Meaningful life depends on it.
The message of Christmas is of comfort and joy, but the deeper message of the infancy narratives includes a social critique that supports our efforts to work for a better world. They shed light on how the Gospel writers understood the revolutionary significance of the coming of Jesus into the world.
According to Luke, when the angel told Mary she was pregnant, she proclaimed the remarkable words of hope for the poor and oppressed that has come to be called the “Magnificat” (Luke 1:46-47, 51-53). Mary’s words make clear that her promised child would raise up the lowly and be a threat to the ruling powers.
When Mary was well along in her pregnancy, the Roman Empire issued an edict forcing all Jews to register for the census in their own hometowns, making it possible for them to be taxed and conscripted into the Roman Army. Mary and Joseph traveled a long distance from their home in Nazareth to Bethlehem, Joseph’s hometown, where Mary gave birth to Jesus in a stable (Luke 2:1-7).
Mary and Joseph were poor. When they traveled to Jerusalem for their purification, to present their firstborn son to God, instead of offering the standard sacrifice they offered the poor peoples’ alternative: “a pair of turtle doves or two young pigeons” (Luke 2:22-24). Mary and Joseph later fled with their infant son into Egypt as political refugees to escape King Herod’s genocidal attempts to hold onto his throne (Matt. 2:13-1)
These stories of the Baby Jesus have revolutionary significance that should not be watered down. They remind us that the powers that rule our world are not benign, and that it’s important to pay attention and be ready to respond.
Facing and addressing the painful realities of what’s going on in our lives and in the world doesn’t detract from personal or spiritual growth, but equips us for living in integrity and taking action for positive change. May you find freedom, joy, and transformation during this holy season.
Subscribe to receive Sharon’s blog posts by email or follow her on Social Media below. Contact Sharon to request a free chapter of one of her books, to schedule a presentation, or to order discounted bulk copies of her books. Discussion guides and video introductions to her books are also available.
Comments