A Worthy Response

Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 2:1-20

Rev. Chris Harbin, Rocks Baptist Church—Pamplin, VA

25 December 2005

We are so accustomed to the story, it might seem of little import and giving even less reason to respond in much of any way at all. Oh, singing the songs and decorating our homes brighten our lives and help us get on through the drab winter months. Exchanging gifts is often fun, especially finding the spark of joy and excitement in the eyes of the recipient. What does any of that have to do with the birth of a baby some 2000 years ago? What is so important about that birth, anyway? Does this birth really call for much of a response?

The birth announcement was a message of shame. An engaged girl shows up pregnant with little opportunity to defend herself. Social custom and law granted her death to be appropriate in such a scenario. The marriage was definitely off for any self-respecting man of that day. The wedding canceled, the bride shamed, disgrace and humiliation cast upon the families, and a child reared under a cloud of guilt. That is what we should expect from this story. That is not what we find at all, however.

Matthew’s account takes Joseph going down the most righteous path we might foresee, but with the angel’s interference, he goes beyond our expectations. Joseph casts off the concerns of propriety and takes a most unexpected stance, ignoring his rightful concerns. We read of Mary leaving home to visit Elizabeth, but we think little of the fact that this trip is as much as anything to protect her from the shame surrounding her condition in the public eye. We take the other half of the story for granted. The talk around town would not have.

The trip to Bethlehem to pay taxes is somewhat strange. Mary is still only Joseph’s betrothed, yet they travel to Bethlehem together, seemingly unaccompanied by family. They seem to have cast off most of the taboos of society, reacting to this birth in remarkable ways. Yes, there were doubtless many remarks around town. They were not so preoccupied with the gossip as with the remarkable character of the new life in their midst.

Mary and Joseph had every reason to bow under the shame cast upon them by their neighbors. It is not from shame, however, that they respond to the birth. The character of their response focuses on the importance of the unborn child. How they could have understood the significance of the unborn baby is beyond my understanding, but they stood firm in their resolve to grant the child a home in which to be nurtured.

In Bethlehem, they needed refuge of an inn, but there was no suitable place for the birth of a child. We are told nothing about the innkeeper, though our folk tradition has often berated him for not granting them room. More significant, however, is that Mary and Joseph are together in the stable. Joseph is seemingly part of the birthing of this child. While the baby is not his, he has taken a much more active role in welcoming this child into the world than would have been the norm. A manger is no place for a baby, but not much in the story follows a line of what we should expect. It is a story of unexpected response from unexpected quarters.

Shepherds are the ones who come to see the baby. Family is apparently not around. Should we not wonder at the absence of Mary’s mother? How had her family reacted to the news of the pregnancy? Certainly, there were questions and concerns over responding to this birth. There were issues to weigh and decisions to make. There is more to the story than meets the eye.

The angels greeted the shepherds with a story of wonder and awe. What kind of king is born in a stable? Why would such a glorious birth be announced to shepherds on the hillside? Could it be that this birth would emphasize how our sense of propriety keeps God at bay? Could it be that coming in shame would help us to recognize the need to look more closely at our response to Christ’s coming?

The shepherds had nothing to bring to a newborn king. Those who could have brought princely gifts were unaware of this birth. Yet God did not expect gifts. God had no need of gifts. It is God who does the giving. It is the least worthy in our eyes who receive.

How do we respond to this birth in a stable? How do we welcome the news of God’s birth amid our disgrace and shame? This is no ordinary birth, yet its manner belies its importance. The Holy One of Israel comes into the midst of the people. How shall we live to acclaim His presence and honor the gift of His son?

What response can we give that is worthy of Christ’s coming? Shall we deny ourselves to receive him in a worthy manner? Should we do less than present him our all?

—©Copyright 2006 Christopher B. Harbin

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