In 1865, William Chatterton Dix penned a poem that would become the beloved Christmas-time favorite, “What Child Is This?”
During Advent, we will dive into this question that is much more complicated than the lilting lullaby tune, “Greensleeves,” conveys. We will see the story of the time leading up to the birth of Christ in its historical trauma-informed fullness. The story of humanity and its recurring themes of oppression and corruption run right through history and into our own narratives. Yet, we can rely on the assurance of the carol to confirm that God is “present with us” in powerful ways that continue to be the Word of Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love even and especially in the midst of hard times.
Scripture Excerpts
They threw me in the grave alive to silence me and rolled a stone over the entrance. Waters rose to engulf me; they told me my time had come! But I called your Name, O God, from the depths of the pit. You heard me call: “Don’t close your ears when I cry for mercy!” You came to me when I called. “Fear not!” you said. – Lamentations 3:46-57 (Inclusive Bible)
In those days, Caesar Augustus published a decree ordering a census of the whole Roman world. This first census took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All the people were instructed to go back to the towns of their birth to register. – Luke 2:1-5 (Inclusive Bible)
Synopsis
The nature of humanity seems to point to the need for a “savior,” especially when we feel things are out of control. People in the time of Jesus’ birth were no different. They hoped for a new reality of communal wellbeing in the midst of corruption and violence. Peace only existed by definition of the empire. The collaboration of religious and state authorities for the sake of the rich and the demise of the poor was a hard reality for most. For what do we hope in our time that will be “good news for all people?”
Scripture Excerpt
Immediately Zechariah’s mouth was opened and his tongue was loosed, and he began to speak in praise of God… [he] was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied: “Blessed are you, the Most High God of Israel—for you have visited and redeemed your people… Such is the tender mercy of our God, who from on high will bring the Rising Sun to visit us, to give light to those who live in darkness and the shadow of death and to guide our feet into the way of peace.” – Luke 1:5-25; 57-80 (Inclusive Bible)
Synopsis
The poet of our theme carol, “What Child is This,” penned the phrase “the silent Word is pleading.” Our vision of that child may be the soothing lullaby and the silent night, but the reality of babies, and of that time in history, was a “crying out.” It was a time for prophesying justice in the midst of trauma, as Zechariah does when his silence is lifted. The Word became Flesh for such a time. How will we cry out for true peace for all people? How will we soothe the trauma of the world in our time?
Scripture Excerpt
“Don’t be afraid, Mary. You have found favor with God. You’ll conceive and bear a son, and give him the name Jesus—‘Deliverance.’ His dignity will be great, and he will be called the Only Begotten of God. God will give Jesus the judgment seat of David, his ancestor, to rule over the house of Jacob forever, and his reign will never end.”… “Your mercy reaches from age to age for those who fear you. You have shown strength with your arm; you have scattered the proud in their conceit; you have deposed the mighty from their thrones and raised the lowly to high places.” – Luke 1:26-56 (Inclusive Bible)
Synopsis
We often hear Jesus referred to as the “Son of God” and the “Son of Man.” But this carol points out his identity over and over as the “Son of Mary.” This equally powerful description points to his being reared by a woman who, upon hearing she would bear a child, said “yes” to one of the most difficult and precarious situations she could face. And then she sings with joy a song of justice for the ages. She goes on to guide and help form this child who would tend to the suffering ones. How can we proclaim a deep joy “in spite of” hardship in our time?
Scripture Excerpt
When Jesus’ mother, Mary, was engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Joseph, her husband, an upright person unwilling to disgrace her, decided to divorce her quietly. This was Joseph’s intention when suddenly the angel of God appeared in a dream and said, “Joseph, heir to the House of David, don’t be afraid to wed Mary; it is by the Holy Spirit that she has conceived this child. She is to have a son, and you are to name him Jesus—‘Salvation’—because he will save the people from their sins.” – Matthew 1:18-25 (Inclusive Bible)
Synopsis
When we hear “let loving hearts enthrone him” in our theme carol, we are encountering the “essence of the message.” Love is at the heart of this beloved story of the birth of Christ. It is love that is the true definition of “kingdom,” of “kinship.” No one exemplifies this more than Joseph’s love for Mary and for the child. He is protector of Love; he is hospitality incarnated. Not only the very life of Jesus was in his hands, but his own character and sacrifice were influential in the way that Jesus went on to live his life and center “love for all” as his message. How will we make sacrificial love our aim in our time?
Scripture Excerpt
The angel of God appeared to them, and the glory of God shone around them; they were very much afraid. The angel said to them, “You have nothing to fear! I come to proclaim good news to you—news of a great joy to be shared by the whole people. Today in David’s city, a savior—the Messiah—has been born to you. – Luke 2:1-19 (Inclusive Bible)
Synopsis
God’s Body knows trauma, just as we do. God so loved the world that God became us in order to know us, love us even more deeply. Not just the cross, but the trauma of the time of Christ’s birth, can show us the reality of “God-with-us” no matter what. This is a theme from our faith story that can open our hearts and our lives to our own place in the heart of the story. No matter how afraid we are, the Babe, “whom shepherds guard and angels sing,” lives within us waiting to grow into Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love incarnate.
Scripture Excerpt
They were warned in a dream not to return to Herod, so they went back to their own country by another route. After the astrologers had left, the angel of God suddenly appeared in a dream to Joseph with the command, “Get up, take the child and his mother and flee to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you otherwise. Herod is searching for the child to destroy him.” Joseph got up, awakened Jesus and Mary, and they left that night for Egypt. – Matthew 2:1-12 (Inclusive Bible)
Synopsis
“This, this…” reverberates into our time, our lives, our world. The Magi see the reverberation of Light and are drawn to it. They, too, were looking for a new world order–one of true peace and compassion. The subsequent story of the flight of the Holy Family as refugees, running from threat of extinction by an insecure tyrant, is much too real in all of human history. Even in the return home, the child of Mary and Joseph would know the heartache of oppression that would shape his ministry–a ministry of proclaiming that God continues to be with us, that we are called to be with one another, even and especially in the midst of hard times.
This worship series is meant to help us know more about who Jesus is by looking at the actual lives and circumstances of these narratives. And to see that God is also with us in our fragility, as we are to be with others. Join us on Sunday mornings throughout December, starting at 11:00 AM.