The gospel we call Luke is clearly for the underdog, the poor. The message for the reader is that the birth (understand life, words, ministry, purpose, etc.) of Jesus of Nazareth is predicted and recognized by the PROPHETIC in the person of John the Baptist. Now John was certainly a real person in history, a prophet who, as usual, was outside the mainstream religion and certainly not well thought of in official circles. We are fairly certain that he was killed by the rulers of his day. Prophets are rarely popular with those in authority. John was a proverbial shit-disturber and his recognition and validation of Jesus would warn the reader that the things John got in trouble for would be multiplied in Jesus. The song that Mary sang is clearly revolutionary in every way and can be overlooked or misinterpreted only by those who are blinded by wealth and power. Throughout the Lucan narratives this theme holds true. The background of John the Baptist is outside of the mainstream and unexpected. As is the birth of Jesus.
An outcast? In a manger? No room for them? Recognized only by the most maligned and "unclean" people in that culture, shepherds? Who do God's angels talk to? The educated? The religious of the day? The rulers? NO WAY! They are all completely unaware and uncaring.
This is scary stuff. It would have been revolutionary to read two thousand years ago and it had better be now also or else we are clearly either missing the whole point or are part of the majority that are just blind to what is going on in God's world. I know it scares (and enlives) me for I am among the wealthy of the world, am well educated and am part of the establishment. Do I really understand God's call to us in Christ? I can only try to listen from my own hillside and try to hear what is sung to me and to follow as I am guided.
Is this WORD what we hear in churches at Christmas? Where is the danger, the calling, the warnings, the hope and joy of the change that can be ours and the world? Enough of the cuddly manger scene! It makes me sick! What was meant to warn and guide us in life and death has been relegated to a cute children's story. What a sin! What a waste!
Step 8: Faithfulness is a Journey
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