in our midst | a Christmas morning homily for mars hill bible church
Scripture text: Luke 2: 4-15
Friends, this morning we are reminded that Jesus comes. And not only after our waiting does he come to us in the world - in our world - but he comes in the midst. That phrase, in the midst means that Jesus comes into a particular set of circumstances.
You see, after 400 years of waiting, God’s people that we read about in the Bible finally receive what God promised. They were promised salvation and a king. But he wasn’t born in 2022, not even in the 1900s when your parents were born, loooong long ago. He wasn’t born in Grand Rapids or to your Mom and Dad. He didn’t come as a majestic tree or a powerful fictional character like Elsa or the Black Panther or your favorite Pokémon. In the passage that was just read, we hear that:
Jesus comes in the midst of particular parents: Which were who? [Mary + Joseph!]
He comes as a particular kind of being. How’d Jesus come to earth? As a lion? [No! As a human baby!]
And news of Jesus’ birth comes in the midst of shepherds. Who can remember how the shepherds first reacted to the angel? [They were terrified!]
Many of us know this story. Some of us know this story so well that we skip over imagining some of the details. There are three that I find pretty meaningful today.
Jesus didn’t come to parents who were viewed by other people as having done everything right. Even though God chose Mary to carry Jesus, and Joseph to be Jesus’ earthly dad, people around them were gossiping and likely saying mean or hurtful things about them because to everybody else, Mary and Joseph had made a big, unholy MISTAKE. Have you ever thought you were doing the right thing, and then someone else thought you were doing the wrong thing? Even though Mary and Joseph knew what God had asked them to do, part of their “yes” meant they risked not knowing for sure how everything would turn out - including the potential of having to hear other peoples’ hurtful words. Jesus came in the midst of a plan that some good people would’ve thought was a big mistake. This Christmas morning, we praise God because even when saying “yes” to God might look like a mistake to other people or even ourselves, Jesus comes in the midst.
The second thing I notice is that Scripture says Mary gave birth - and then she wrapped him up and placed him in a manger. There’s a loooot the Scripture passage leaves out. How many of you have a little sibling? Well when babies come into the world, it’s not neat and tidy. Let’s just say it’s, well, MESSY. And even after babies are born, what are some messy things that babies do? [They poop, they throw food, they spill….] Jesus came to earth in a messy way, in a messy manger, in the middle of a messy time in history, AND as a messy baby. Anyone ever made a mess before? I certainly have. Jesus didn’t come into a perfectly clean and tidy house or bedroom. He didn’t come wrapped in a spotless white cloth. I’m pretty sure his mom was sweaty and didn’t have makeup on to hide her blemishes. He came into the messes we make as humans in a messy way. And yet the mess of the world, the mess of humankind didn’t stop the Messiah. If you’re someone familiar with messes, and if you’re wondering if Jesus will come near to you in the muck you’ve made: Jesus comes in the midst.
So Jesus came in a way that some people called a MISTAKE, he came in the midst of a MESS…
And finally, the news of Jesus’ birth makes its way to shepherds. What did the shepherds do? In ancient days, they weren’t liked very well. Because they moved around a lot with their flocks, they couldn’t attend some church ceremonies or follow all of the religious rules. So as a class of people, they were considered unreliable, which means that some thought they couldn’t be trusted. So for this news that people had been waiting on to come to scared shepherds?! Some people, had they been observing this scene, would’ve watched and asked, “Why them?! Why waste giving such an important message to such unimportant, unqualified and disliked people?!” But the angels did come to the shepherds. They appeared right next to them, which means the good news wasn’t off-limits to the under-privileged - or people that others didn’t like or trust. [Today you might hear grown-ups call them “marginalized.”] And you know what the shepherds did? Well, let’s think about it. What would you do if someone shared that there was some really good news to see? [A new car in the driveway, a big present outside? You’d be excited and you’d want to GO!] Because they were told that the good news was for all people - even them! - that a Savior has been born to you - the outcast - they didn’t just ignore it and get back to counting the sheep. They said, “Let’s GO and see this thing!” Consider this: if the baby had been born in a palace or house of distinction? The shepherds likely wouldn’t have been welcomed or even comfortable. But a manger? A manger [or a feeding trough for animals] is a familiar place for a shepherd. The good news came to shunned shepherds and sent shunned shepherds on a MISSION to see for themselves. Good news is great news when other people think that good news isn’t for - or accessible - to you.
Jesus came in the way that some people would’ve called a MISTAKE, he came in the midst of a MESS, he came in a way that sent social outcasts on holy MISSION.
Jesus comes in the midst of all of it - which means he also comes to you and me. Jesus comes in our midst. And that Good News is so great, that perhaps despite what’s happening in the world or to our social reputation or how crazy the situation seems - despite the messes we’ve made or found ourselves born into or inheriting - maybe we’ll choose, again, this Christmas to go and see for ourselves and be moved by the nonsensical, holy miracle of a fragile baby who would change everything. Unto you a child is born.