Power through weakness

There are some events that are simply massive - ‘once in a lifetime’ events. Events like the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, the tragedy of 9/11, or Tsunami that hit on 26 December 2004.
But there was one event that was simply a ‘once in eternity’ event: An event so big that the whole calendar of humanity turned around to count before and after it. That event is “The Christmas story”, a historic event that, at the time, seemed so insignificant, was happening in a dirty stable in a far off land.
Just over 2000 years ago a baby was born to an ordinary young woman called Mary. That baby was Jesus; a man who would challenge the world like no other.
The Christmas narrative has everything necessary for a great story. There is political intrigue, conflict (international, national, ethnic, and marital), anticipation (the key to every good Christmas), the drama of a delivery room, fear, and amazement. Good stuff.
But one thing that makes an impression about the Christmas story is how simple and unadorned it really is. God often brings to us the profound in the midst of the ordinary. On December 26th, The Bethlehem Gazette probably read, “Joseph and Mary, a boy, 17 inches long, 7.7 lbs.” Nothing stunning. Babies are born every day.
Don’t misunderstand. The birth of a virgin-born son is no little thing. The eternal Word becoming flesh does not happen every day. The Christmas story shows how God fills the seeming insignificant with his presence and makes what might have been mundane into profound mystery.
First, we should notice the insignificant places. Our story gives passing mention to Rome, centre of the inhabited world and Syria, gateway to the East. The influential people and those who ruled others lived there. The lifestyles of the rich and famous were recorded there. But the focus is on little places, such as: Bethlehem, which used to be the city of the great king (David), Puny and insignificant Nazareth from where Mary and Joseph hail and the manger where the baby Jesus was lying.
No one cared much about Bethlehem, Nazareth, Manger and the fields. Bethlehem was nothing to write about. Certainly it was not where you’d go on your honeymoon, leave along for the birth of your first child. Nazareth too was insignificant. Nathanael later asked of Nazareth, “Can anything good come from there?” (John 1:46).
Is it just possible that Bethlehem, Nazareth, the manger, and the fields become key places in God’s self-revelation? Could it be that there really are no little places in the world? Maybe when God comes near, all the little places become big!
Second, we should notice the insignificant people. The important people of the world mentioned are: Caesar Augustus and Quirinius. But our text gives only passing reference to these men and that is probably done so as to root our story in history.
Our story focuses on a poor young couple from Nazareth. Mary and Joseph, shepherds and the innkeeper—well, not really. In fact, he is so insignificant; but, It’s amazing to notice how much importance he gets in the average Christmas pageant.
God uses ordinary people—just like you and me. It reminds us of 1 Corinthians 1:26, “Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth.” Let’s face it: the people in the Christmas story were nothing to write home about. Neither are we. Maybe when God comes near, all the little people suddenly seem to matter.
These events and features of Christ’s birth have always been interwoven with insignificant and secular stuff. The challenge for us is to ensure that Christmas is not emptied of its spiritual essence.
Do you come from a remote town? Take heart, Christmas can happen in your little town. Do you have the self-esteem of a slug and feel as if no one cares whether you live or die? Take heart, Christmas announces that you matter to God. Do you feel as if nothing big ever happens in your life? Take heart, Christmas is for you.
Christians believe that the incarnation is very significant. We believe in what Col. James Erwin, former moon walker and astronaut, once said, “God walking on the earth is more important than man walking on the moon.” Yes, Christmas is significant, but the story itself tells us that the way of God in the world is still “power through weakness.”