Advent: The Coming of the Light

There was a time when the world had no Christ, when the world was dark. The world of Joseph and Mary was a world immersed in the shadow of Rome, the great foreign occupier and oppressor. To be small, poor people in that world was terrifying

Mary was very young, the scholars think. Maybe she was fourteen or so, or round about that age. Joseph, the young man, was probably quite a bit older. The star above them, a new star, very bright and slowly wandering. In the mind’s eye you can see it — on the other side of the hills and mountains, wise men have seen it and are hastening to meet its arrival. The coming of the light into the world is being met by those guided by wisdom and prophecy; they are carrying portable gifts, myrrh, frankincense and gold — gifts of great honor. I don’t think that knew where they were heading. They knew that they were going to meet a very important somebody who was about to be born.

Perhaps the wise men are hoping to find a palace, a wondrous construction, of jewels and marble. Instead, they find a stable, a place where beasts of burden are housed, in the straw nest of a manger. They trust the wisdom.

In the place where the animals feed will be laid a small, scrawny baby. The baby Jesus will lie peacefully looking at the animals and the animals will look back. Jesus will look up in the gaps of the stable and will see the Star above. The animals’ cries soften as they gaze on this little human and feel a marvelous peace.

The baby’s mother is equally scrawny, having traveled a long way. Joseph’s eyes are dark with fear and wonder. Does this child look like him? His heart flickers with doubt. Why are these strange men here with them? Why do they bear precious things with them? What does this mean?

This moment in the life of a poor family is a lever of history. Without it our world would be sloth-eyed and mired in selfishness. The exemplar of love has changed every moment thereafter. This baby has rocked the cradle of the world.

The Birth of our Lord is a recurring wonder. Every year we relive this coming in our seasonal stories. It is a new birth of innocence and holiness. A fountain of compassion pouring up out of the bedrock of time to re-green the world and to bring new life to a mystery beyond our understanding.

Colin Brown is the pastor of Boardman’s Good Shepherd Lutheran Church on Locust Road.