In that region there were shepherds living
in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the
Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they
were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am
bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day
in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a
sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a
manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly
host, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on
earth peace among those whom he favors!”
Luke 2:8-14
The news of
God’s arrival into our world in the body of a tiny, vulnerable baby is big and
strange news. God chooses not to arrive in a flash of glory but in the vulnerability and messiness of human
birth. The angels bring the news not to those in power and authority, but to
the humble shepherds in the fields.
God chooses
to exalt the vulnerable, thereby training our eyes to see God’s love come into
this world in places of mercy and compassion.
This news of
God’s arrival in a vulnerable baby shakes up our expectations and draws us in
to the very presence of God. Previously, the people would expect to die if they
were in the presence of God. This time, the angels assure us that there is no
need to fear the presence of God in Jesus. In fact, the angels invite us in for
a closer look, to look upon God’s vulnerability and see hope.
The services
and ministries of Social Ministry Organizations like the Liberty Lutheran
family of services draw our attention to many who are vulnerable in our
communities and show us hope through care and compassion that brings peace and
joy. We meet God in the faces of those we serve remembering that God chooses to
be present in the vulnerable ones. And in our service, we join the song of the
heavens, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those
whom he favors!”
God of hope, open our eyes to see your
presence coming in to this world and lift up our voices in joy to join the song
of the heavens praising you through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
The Rev.
Jennifer Phelps Ollikainen is Executive Director of Lutheran Congregational
Services.
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