Sermon for the Nativity

 

FEAST OF THE NATIVITY


You might be wondering: What was it like for Joseph and Mary? Certain details can be uncovered by spending time in the New Testament—most notably the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. As for additional details, we do have a couple of legends to consider. For example, we sing every year about the Little Drummer Boy. He looks on as expensive gifts are being presented to the Newborn King. For his part, the Little Drummer Boy has “no gift to bring.”  So what does he do? He does about all that he can do—he plays on his drum. And the Christ-Child responds with a smile. You won’t read about the Drummer Boy in the Bible. He is the subject of legend. 


Likewise, we don’t hear anything about a robin in the pages of scripture. But the robin does figure prominently when you factor in what comes to us by way of legend. Evidently it was cold on that silent and holy night. A fire is burning, but only for the time being. More wood will have to be gathered, if they want to stay warm. Thus we have Joseph stepping out to take up the search, and this leaves Mary to monitor the fire. Rather than monitor the fire, Mary would rather be sleeping. The journey was long and tedious. Furthermore, she has just given birth. Therefore, she asks the ox to blow periodically upon the embers of the fire. But the ox has to beg off. Similarly, the horse and the mule also feel the need to beg off. They are beasts of burden, overcome with exhaustion, having been out in the field all day, laboring. It appears, therefore, that no support will be provided for the Virgin Mary. 


Suddenly, however, a little brown bird perches itself alongside the fire. When the embers fade, the bird responds by flapping its wings, furiously. Two effects are thereby produced: first, the fire is being rekindled; second, as the fire intensifies, the little bird’s breast begins to take on a reddish glow. By keeping vigil in this way, the little bird has relieved Mary so that she can rest and focus upon her Child. After Joseph returns, Mary thanks the bird, and she issues a solemn proclamation: From now on, you will wear a breast of red. And this marking will signify for all generations your faithful act of kindness. These details are not to be found in the Gospel of Luke or in the Gospel of Matthew; rather, they derive from a secondary source: the source of legend. 


The bird is not called upon, initially. Why? It didn’t attract any notice. And yet this seemingly insignificant creature ends up making a very noteworthy contribution. It didn’t have the ability to stitch together a blanket. It couldn’t secure the delivery of a kerosene heater. Nevertheless, the bird is ready to do what it is that it can do: it can flap its wings. Along the same lines, the Drummer Boy concentrates on what it is that he can do—over and against what he can’t do. It’s all about doing what it is that you can do. It’s about making the Lord [and Mary] smile by doing whatever it is that you can do. You’re choosing a better way of being alive, when you commit yourself to doing what it is that you can do. Keep in mind the bird and how it acquires a new radiance. It literally glows while carrying out its act of service. What happens with the bird can also happen for you, for me, and for the rest of the population. 


Imagine yourself taking on a new radiance. Imagine furthermore the wider world becoming brighter and warmer. It starts with people like you and me. And then it has the potential to catch on. What would it look like if every person on the planet adopted the attitude of the robin? What kind of a world would it be, if each person was dedicated to the concept of doing whatever it is that he or she can do? We would be faced with a better world, for sure. Can we make the world perfect? Can we make over the world so that it transforms into the Kingdom? No, that’s what we’re asking the Lord to do when we pray the words: Thy Kingdom Come. But we can send a message to the Lord. Apply yourself so that it becomes clear: We are a world that’s hungering for the Kingdom,; we are hungering for the Kingdom and all that the Kingdom represents. We do what we have the capacity to do, because we are hungering for a world that will more closely resemble the blueprints for the Kingdom of God. 

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