the irony of the Christmas story - the wise men

He came, not as a flash of light or as an unapproachable conqueror, 

but as one whose first cries were heard by a peasant girl and a sleepy carpenter. 

The hands that first held him were unmanicured, calloused, and dirty.

No silk. No ivory. No hype. No party. No hoopla.

Were it not for the shepherds, there would have been no reception. 

And were it not for a group of stargazers, there would have been no gifts.

 Max Lucado 

Only two groups of folks were notified of Jesus' birth other than Mary and Joseph's families.

the shepherds - unclean 

the Magi - unclean because they were Gentiles.

Ironic.  God had to take his message to the unclean.  

Neither group was welcomed in the Temple courts.  

They didn't meet the requirements for entering.  

They didn't follow all the tedious man-made rules of the day. 

They were from the wrong tribe.
Their lineage was not acceptable.  

They weren't good enough.

And that's just the beginning of all the reasons they weren't worthy.    

On the other hand, have you noticed who did NOT receive the announcement of Jesus' birth?

          the religious

          the high priests in the temple

          the people who were allowed and welcomed into the temple courts

         

Why?  Why didn't the "church folks" know?

Why didn't the "clean" know?

Were they too busy?

Were they too consumed with the following of all their self-made strict religious rituals?

Were they too occupied with standing on the street corners offering up their prayers in public so they would appear pious and then most worthy of praise?

Were they too busy protecting the traditions?  Saying "we've always done it this way?

Were they not approachable?

Here's my question to you and to myself this Christmas season. 

If Jesus were born today who would hear the angels?

who would see (be looking for)  the star and follow? 

who would take the time to listen?

who would God find faithful?

If I've learned anything in my 64 years, it has been that God goes to those who have time to hear him.  

To those who are 'still and know that He is God'.

For 2012, I want to learn to 'be still".  

I want to learn to listen.

I want to be approachable.

I want to be less judgmental

I want to be known by my love for others regardless

I want to be willing to get messy,  if it means I can give 'the message'

I want to be willing to take some risks as Mary and Joseph did

As the shepherds and the wise men did

I want to be found faithful.

Yes!

I want to be found faithful!

  This is Part 2 of "the irony of Christmas".  Part 1 is here Click here if you missed it on Wednesday