Be
Afraid?
Watching
the news for, well my whole adult life, I have come to realize that
apparently selling people on fear is a very potent way to motivate
them. And so...
And the
angel appeared in the midst of the congregation and said:
“BE
afraid, be very afraid! For unto you is born this day a Saviour, who
is Christ the Lord. And he will cause you to rethink your entire
lives!”
Not
quite how we remember the Christmas story going is it? For years I
have reminded people that more often than not an angel’s appearance
begins with an exhortation NOT to be afraid. Scripture reminds us
that we need to live in hope and trust and not be afraid. Fear does
not lead to the Kingdom.
And
yet... I wonder. Maybe we should be a little
afraid. At least if we take Christmas and Jesus seriously.
Between
Christmas and Easter this year the Narrative Lectionary is going to
lead us through the Gospel according to Luke. Luke has long been my
favourite of the 4 Gospels, in part because it contains classic
stories such as the Good Samaritan and the Prodigal Son and the
Emmaus Road but also because Luke makes plain the social justice that
accompanies the Kingdom.
In this
Gospel Jesus will begin his ministry by reading a passage from Isaiah
that proclaims the beginning of the Jubilee year. In the Jubilee year
debts are cancelled, slaves are freed, land is returned to its
ancestral owners. The Jubilee year, the coming of the Kingdom, turns
our economic order upside down.
In this
Gospel we have Mary’s song. Mary sings of the proud being toppled
from their thrones and the lowly lifted up. Mary sings this song
knowing that the child she carries in her womb is the one who will do
these things. The final verse of my favoured musical setting of
Mary’s song reads:
Though
the nations rage from age to age, we remember who holds us fast:
God’s
mercy must deliver us from the conqueror’s crushing grasp
This
saving word that our forebears heard is the promise which hold us
bound
‘til
the spear and rod can be crushed by God who is turning the world
around
(verse
4 of My Soul Cries Out More
Voices #120)
Be not
afraid, for there are tidings of great joy for all the people. Soon
will be born a Saviour, Christ the Lord. God’s presence will be
revealed in a child in a manger.
But at
the same time, be a little afraid, because God is at loose in the
world. Be a little anxious, because God is making changes in the
world. Be watchful, the Jubilee is coming, the time when the economic
order will be turned over to ensure that all have what they need for
life, and that in abundance.
Christmas
is coming! God is breaking into our lives! For that we rejoice. And
as we wait for the Baby Jesus we watch for the changes God will
bring.
Blessed
Christmas!
Gord
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