Art Reading Scripture

Nativity and Annunciation to the Shepherds, Bernardino Luini, 1520-1532 The Louvre, Paris

Now in that same 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 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." Luke 2:8-12

While the shepherds were in the fields being terrified by the angelic appearance and assured by the angels announcement (annunciation); before the shepherds came to Bethlehem to "see this thing that has taken place"; Mary and Joseph had a moment. They had a moment to be with their child. The scene is not realistic. Amazingly Mary never looks like a woman who has just given birth. The baby is often alert and looking a few months old. In this nativity the holy family is surrounded by little angels. It seems not all the heavenly host was necessary to terrify and announce good news to the shepherds. An angel can be seen through the window tearing through the grey skies with heavenly glory. Nativity scenes were never intended to be realistic. Rather they invite devotion. The posture and adoration of Mary and Joseph, in prayer, humility and wonder was to evoke the same response from the viewer. "When Christmas morn is dawning I wish that I could be, There by the manger cradle God's Son, newborn to see, There by the manger cradle God's Son, newborn to see."

As much as we surround this story with devotion, joy and wonder, Luke's "Christmas Story" was not sweet and innocent or evocative or warmth, quietness and peace. The Gospel writers ultimately had one story they sought to tell. The story of Jesus passion, death and resurrection mattered to them. When they told other stories from Jesus life they included foreshadows of the final story so that those who heard it at the beginning would be prepared for it at the end. Luke included two such foreshadows. Mary "wrapped him in bands of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no place in the guest room." Joseph of Arimathea took Jesus body, "wrapped it in a linen clothe and laid it in a rock-hewn tomb where no one had ever been laid." The angelic announcement to the shepherds ended with, "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors." The phrase is echoed in the voices that greeted Jesus as he entered Jerusalem for Passover, "Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest heaven." One might also hear other reverberations: two Josephs in the Gospel appearing at Jesus birth and death; Mary in both stories (largely absent from the stories in between); angelic greetings and response in both stories (the shepherds and the women at the tomb upon hearing the announcement went to tell the good news.) As the story unfolded Luke laid out more foreshadows of the suffering and death of this child. Foreshadows are not precise, hence they are shadows of things to be remembered, recalled and with new understanding.

Modern Christian celebrations of the Nativity largely avoid connecting Christmas to Good Friday and Easter. Earlier ages of the church purposely connected them. The Bernadino Luini included these things in this otherwise quiet and peaceful nativity. One of the little angels holds a cross next to Jesus' body, as Jesus lifts a hand to receive it. Another cross figures more prominently in the beams of the manger. Nailed to the cross is a flask, filled with wine(?) and a traveling bag filled with bread (?). One Christmas Carol sung in a minor key points from the celebration of this night to the story for which all these stories are told. (The Traditional Christmas Eve Candlelight service omits this verse.) "What child is this, who laid to rest on Mary's lap is sleeping? ... Why lies he in such mean estate where ox and ass are feeding? Good Christian, fear; for sinners here the silent Word is pleading. Nails, spear, shall pierce him through, the cross be borne for me for you; hail, hail, the Word made flesh, the babe, the Son of Mary!"

There is a reason for the season, and it is Jesus. There is also a reason for Jesus, and it is the salvation of us, forgiveness, mercy, the love of God, the life of Christ, given and shed for you.

Keep the faith. Say your prayers. Love like Jesus.

Pastor Tim Bauer