What it Cost Them
What did it cost Jesus to come to earth as a babe?
He left His place of privilege and authority in heaven. He limited himself to an earthly body, even to the growing body of a fetus for nine months. He gave up His exalted status and infinite greatness to become human. Even while on earth, Jesus rejected the need to be treated like royalty and instead became the servant of all.
But what about the people involved in the story of Jesus’s coming at Bethlehem? What did they risk to worship Jesus?
Mary accepted God’s call to become the mother of God’s Son. She gave up appearances of having done everything “right” and quite possibly bore the scorn of being pregnant before the consummation of her wedding day. She accepted the role of caregiver to God Incarnate with wholehearted willingness and surrender, including the suffering that accompanied it. And she received the blessing of God in bearing her own inconvenience. “ ’I am the Lord’s servant,’ Mary answered. ‘May your word to me be fulfilled.’ ” ~ Luke 1:38
Joseph paid a great price in taking pregnant Mary as his wife. He too accepted the social stigma of being an unwed mother’s new husband. He believed God’s word and trusted God to fulfill His promise because of a dream! “When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife.” ~ Matt. 1:24
The shepherds left their sheep— the source of their livelihood and their only charge in life besides their families—and ran into town to find a baby, risking the loss of one or more wandering sheep and incurring the wrath of their families. “The shepherds said to one another, ‘Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” ~ Luke 2:15
The Magi prepared for a years-long journey, left their familiar surroundings, and traversed rugged terrain and foreign cultures to find the Christ child. They risked shaming Herod as they inquired about the newborn King and later disregarded his command to return. Having no GPS, they followed a star to find the Messiah! They may have even abandoned their own religion to turn to Christ. “On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him.” ~ Matthew 1:11
And what about Father God? He not only gave up His Son to be challenged, ridiculed, disbelieved, and killed, He also risked us snubbing our noses at His grace and mercy. He risked everything so we might be reconciled to Him! ~ “All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation...” 2 Corinthians 5:18
It seems that everyone involved in the events of Christmas risked something significant. God’s sacrifice, and the obedience of the people involved, made room for reconciliation between God and humans.
What about us? What will we risk to welcome Jesus, to bring Jesus, to unlikely places?
Oh Lord, create in us the same heart that You have, that Mary and Joseph had, that we would be willing to reach beyond ourselves to represent You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.