25 Dec SUNDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2022
Isaiah 62:8 says, “The Lord has sworn by his right hand and by his mighty arm.” Remember the ways that we, as kids, used to swear oaths? I remember saying or hearing this more than once, do you? “Cross my heart and hope to die, stick a needle in my eye.” I watched boys spit on their hand before shaking on deals they’d made between them, and heard of kids drawing blood from a stuck finger to express the seriousness of intention to keep a vow. That was back in the day.
In a similar way, back in Isaiah’s day, the Lord swore by his right hand and mighty arm. This was God’s way of vowing to uphold his promises with all power and strength. When I think of God’s mighty arm and right hand, I recall having a good right hand and mighty arm myself.
By the 5th grade, I’d been in the habit of arm wrestling my brother who was five years older and always hated being beaten. However, the experience gave me an advantage with kids my own age. Surprise and curiosity led boys in my grade to accept the challenge and not uncommonly experience defeat in class or the lunchroom. (Pastor grins.) I bet the Lord is REALLY good at arm wrestling.
Meeting a challenge often involves doing what’s necessary given the current circumstance.
Joseph and Mary also did what they had to do. They traveled when otherwise they wouldn’t have on account of there being a royal decree. Like many of us, they would only have traveled out of necessity. More often than not, travel was an expense or luxury, rarely convenient, and made more difficult by having only one driver, vehicle or donkey.
But Joseph and Mary (in a very pregnant state) traveled anyway because it was required. Their citizenship and legal rights depended upon them becoming duly registered. I can relate this by conveying my recent experience going through TSA in November. Being duly registered through the US Dept of State allowed me to show my passport, boarding pass and sail right through. Joseph and Mary also hoped that by becoming duly registered, they could do the same.
All they could do was what was asked. There were many things out of their control. Whatever might or would happen, could happen anywhere and that’s exactly where Joseph and Mary landed: in the position of accepting anything offered even if anything and anywhere were better than nothing and not exactly what seemed best.They would “make do”.
Having to “make do” is the mantra of every family I’ve ever known, especially those just starting out: whether they lived in the hills of Pennsylvania, a little town called Bethlehem or a big city. Anyone trying to play by the rules and be honest will inevitably end up doing what they have to and making do in an effort to not bring trouble into an already tenuous existence.
The best part of making do is knowing that what you did proved much better than doing nothing.
My dad loved to relay how his feet stayed dry while other kids complained of their feet being wet, because his dad had cut pieces of rubber from used car tires about the same size as his feet and made insoles for his shoes. When he talked about collecting discarded Xmas trees from the street to use on January 7th for his family’s Orthodox Christmas celebration, there was a smile on his face.
The thought of making tree tinsel from cellophane or foil that lined cigarette packets wasn’t a source of shame, but of good fortune. Children sense the tone of their parent’s life experience as they tell stories. Note that the tone of Jesus’ birth story is humble, but not to be pitied.
The same tone rings true for shepherds living in the fields. Although they were among the lowest class members of Ancient Near Eastern society, worked more hours and most hours while others slept, were taken for granted and disregarded as essential, they were nonetheless vital to the economy and valuable as persons.
Two weeks ago, I went shopping at a Harrisburg Wal-Mart after 11pm for the first and probably last time. Every sort of person was there, including me. And everything about the late night experience lived up to what I’d heard about folks who work or shop at Wal-Mart late at night and do so as part of their normal routine.
The employees were like shepherds, doing a job most consider undesirable, even dirty. Even under political pressure to raise wages and increase benefits, nothing about their job or work environment seemed above grade or any more than bare minimum. Like the shepherds, retail workers are undervalued, often suspected and always deemed replaceable. But that night, the employees and even the other shoppers seemed somewhat endearing. Yes, they were humble, but not to be pitied. Shoppers had hopes of buying what they needed or wanted and employees seemed to have been afforded some kind of esteem.
Finding a parking space that night reminded me of playing the video game, Space Invaders. Shopping carts strewn over the entire lot seemed aimed at me and coming from all directions. Everywhere I turned, several were blocking my path.
Upon entering the store and hearing that cashier lines were about to close, I realized that no carts, not one, remained inside the store for use. But thanks to online ordering and curbside delivery there were still plenty of store associates around. I said out loud with some exasperation, “Was I supposed to bring a cart in with me,” just before a young man about my son’s age said, “I’ll go get you one.”
I stood there waiting with awe and appreciation as the clock kept ticking. With less time and almost no knowledge of the store layout, I decided to ask one customer associate after another where items on my shopping list could be found. I don’t know about you, but I hate walking up and down every aisle where I don’t understand the logic of why things are grouped as they are. At that hour and by the grace of God, my inquiries were received without disdain. Each encounter improved my level of customer satisfaction and went beyond what I anticipated.
Like the shepherds, employees, and dare I say many shoppers at Walmart, the Dollar Store, Goodwill and other places take delight in making do though making do isn’t easy. Like Joseph and Mary, as long as no one interferes with their plans or forbids them to coexist: shepherds, sheep and people, given the chance, will find what they need and learn to be content: humble, lowly, doing what they can, making do while keeping watch over their family or flock by night.
Every now and again, an angel of the Lord will stand before them, shining glory all around them. The experience may be terrifying, but eventually they’ll understand that they’ve nothing to fear.
God’s good news means great joy for all people. Even a multitude of heavenly hosts praising God will not freak them out because good news is always welcome, especially to those who are humble and lowly, making do, and doing what they must because something must be done in a world where doing nothing either lands you in jail, gets you injured or worse.
Finally the angels leave and go home to heaven, the night workers on earth go home too, if they have one. Those who don’t because they live in fields decide to journey onward toward Bethlehem. Why? Because without seeing and experiencing what the angels said for themselves, they couldn’t honestly say whether this thing happened or not.
They were savvy realists, not taking anyone’s word when it came to believing. The Lord had made something known specifically to them, and if it was true, they didn’t want to waste time before they shared such big good news. When’s the last time you had news to share that was good news of great joy for all people? Not just good news for you and your family, but news that would amaze everyone who heard it because it meant change in how everyone could work, shop, eat, or raised a family.
Like Mary, treasure and ponder what you’ve heard and seen, how you’ve been invited and included among those at the scene of Jesus’ birth. Whether your life is humble and lowly like a shepherd, of moderate means like Joseph and Mary or better off like a wise man or king, God knows there’s good reason you’re here. Like every figure in a nativity set, not only were you invited, but you showed up.
Find great joy in the news that Jesus Christ, your Savior, was born. Give glory and praise to God. There’s no shame, but good fortune in appreciating what’s been given. If you’ve been given much, don’t forget that what God provides is meant to be shared and to spread joy: much like once-used Xmas trees and empty cigarette packs did on more than one occasion.
At a recent cookie exchange, each person was asked to bring a white elephant gift. I did not understand the concept, nor did I google it. Instead I relied on my memory of past Xmas parties held among coworkers where not everyone knew each other and might end up swapping gifts anyway. That’s how I ended up with my one and only Jim Shore collectible Santa. But I learned that a white elephant gift was not the same as buying a generic present for a stranger.
I learned that it’s basically the same as filling a bag with yard sale items, some new and in boxes, some worn, but still usable. Whatever you aren’t using at the moment may prove valuable to someone else, so get rid of it. They might be delighted. Worse case scenario, they’re eager to trade or just give it away. Anything is better than the items winding up back in their house.
That’s the beauty of giving and getting rid of what we don’t need at the present moment. Make someone happy by exposing your junk, sharing your treasures, or giving them a laugh. Let us pray.
Dear Lord, thank you for showing us what life is about: sharing good news, great joy or our misery with others if that’s all we seem to have. Help us enjoy the company of sheep, shoppers or strangers as you lead us to where you are. Help us always find you and relish opportunities to make do and experience what we see and hear as truth, guidance and your presence on earth. In your holy name we pray. Amen.