GOOD NEWS IN TOUGH TIMES

The Springfield News-Leader, our local newspaper, had these headlines on the front page,

"FOR UNTO YOU IS BORN THIS DAY IN THE CITY OF DAVID A SAVIOR, WHO IS CHRIST THE LORD."

 LUKE 2:1-20 21ST CENTURY KING JAMES VERSION

The color of Jesus' skin is not important.  The date of Jesus' birth is not important.  The exact site of Jesus' birth is not important.  The differences in the events described by Matthew and Luke is not important.Whether the events Matthew and Luke are historical facts or a story is not important. Here are the facts I find important in this story:

1. The Parents were not politicians or kings or any type of prominent people in that day.  They were ordinary people.  Joseph was a carpenter.  He probably made farming tools, house parts, furniture, and kitchen utensils.
2. They were not married when Jesus was conceived. Mary was a virgin.  
3. Jesus was born in a stable where animals were kept.
4. The lineage of Jesus included non-Jews.  One was Rahab, a harlot, who hid the spies in Jericho. The other was Ruth, the grandmother of David the King. Non-Jews came to see Jesus after his birth:  the Magi or the Wisemen. 
5. The Priests and the Rulers were not there.  In fact, King Herod sought to kill Jesus when he heard of the birth. The Priests were suppose to be God's representatives.  They were suppose to be pure.  They were the top class in those considered to be clean and pure for marriage.  They could only marry other pure and clean Jews.  Non priests or non Levites who were pure and clean were second class citizens who were free to marry other non Levites and priests.  Illegitimate children of priests, half breed Jews, prostitutes, and other person who were unclean made up the third class of people.  They could not marry Levites and Priests nor could they marry pure and clean nonLevite Jews.  Unbarren parents, eunuchs, homosexuals, hermaphrodites were the fourth class of citizens. They were an abomination because they could not bare children.  Gentiles was last.  They could not marry any clean and pure Jew.  They were heathens and unacceptable.
6. The Shepherds were single men without children who did not inherit land from family.  They were paid wages and often nomadic.  They stayed with the herds both day and night.  Although important to the economy, they were not considered the top of the A-list of the day.

The birth of Jesus shows that God so loved the world that God became human to show us the way to live.  Jesus came so we could receive the Love, the joy, the peace, the gentleness, the kindness, the self-control, and patience to live in a world filled with stress, disappointments, depression, disease, destruction, and disasters.  Jesus came to show us the foundation of life is love for God, others, self, and universe or God's creation.  Jesus came for everyone not just Jews.  Everyone includes persons regardless of gender, age, nationality, ethnicity, economic status, education level, and sexual orientation.   This is the Good News for Tough Times.  

Merry Christmas!  Happy Holidays!  Season's Greetings!