Re-imaging the manger scene

I can’t imagine that this classic scene that we’ve always seen (above) really ever happened. I know, it’s so nice to think of icons like this in a romanticized setting but scholars believe Joseph, Mary, and newborn Jesus remained in Bethlehem at least several months before they were forced to flee to Egypt. This would’ve allowed groups from across the area who had heard the news (whether shared with them by angels or word-of-mouth) to roll by and wonder at the miracle that was unfolding in their tiny town.

These two groups do however represent the segments of people that seek Christ today. Let’s look first of all at the wise men or Magi. First of all, there were a number of things we assume about this group that the Bible passage doesn’t tell us. For example, it doesn’t tell us that there are three wise men. It just tells us that there were wise men, and they gave three gifts. And, the manger wasn’t their first stop in the area, they first came to Herod, the Roman installed King of Palestine to ask him for directions. Also, the passage doesn’t say they went to the manger. It says they went to the house to check out the Christ child. (Matthew 2:12 NLT). Jesus was actually probably several months old by the time the wise men got to Bethlehem.

But what we do know about them is that they were seekers. They put a lot of time and energy into studying the stars looking for hints to what God might be revealing to his people and wanted to learn as much as they possibly could. They also were not Jews, the Bible just says they were from the east. So they were the original outsiders, but were willing to spend a lot of time and a lot of blood sweat and tears to travel long distance to bring gifts to a godchild they knew very little of. But they were curious; they had to know, and they had to celebrate his coming.

So, as I come to the manger, when I look at the wise men, I see them represent the group of people who know a lot about religion and philosophy, but want to know more. They haven’t found all they are looking for and they know it. There is still that some thing… Someone, that they are seeking, and they are willing to do whatever it takes to find it. Little do they know that that Someone has been looking for them all their lives; has sought to know them deeply… And really cherished the fact that they put so much on the line in their seeking.

And then, there are the shepherds. Ragged, uneducated., unkempt, and probably considered unclean in Jewish temple practices. They weren’t looking for anything except a good nights sleep. They were the last group anyone in Bethlehem would have depended on for news of religious developments. I can see the shepherds, once they were able to figure out what was actually happening before them, say “OK, that’s pretty amazing, but why in the world are you telling us? No one here would believe us, even if we did spread the word. ”

That is exactly why the angels picked the shepherds. It wasn’t because they were the only ones awake, it was because they had been religious outsiders all their lives. Finding, because they had been entrusted with the most amazing news ever given to mankind, that they had incredible significance to God. I can imagine, years later, these very same shepherds, sharing the story of their encounter with the angels with anybody who would listen. And as they told that story for the 5,000th time, they got that same look back from the listener, that said, “and explain to me again why they told you of all people? “.

This is the group of people that the shepherds represent; those who have felt unacceptable or disqualified from being included in God’s family. Turned away, rejected so many times that they had finally given up on ever being enough. People who had probably already given up. And that is why, when confronted with the amazing good news of God; God showing up, and caring enough to involve them in the process, I can see their hearts leap out of their chests! Suddenly insiders for the first time, they tell everyone they possibly can… And forget, for a few minutes, where they left their sheep.

The important things for me to remember? First of al, that God shows up in crazy beautiful unexpected ways every day. I just have to have my eyes and heart open. And secondly, I am an insider. I am that shepherd that God would wake up to good news. I am that wise man who had been searching all my life for a God like this, and never expecting to find him. I’d love to hear what you think about this… And have an awe-filled Christmas.