What Now?

Why December 25th?

There’s no statement in the Bible that conclusively says Jesus was born December 25th and even the specific year is suspect. There are theories as to why that date was settled on sometime in the 3d or 4th century - they’re all really interesting and you should look them up - but I don’t wanted to debate the need for realism in the Christmas story. For centuries we’ve embraced December 25th, we’ve built traditions on it that can be meaningful and help the world be a better place, if we let them, and I don’t see any need to tear that down.

In fact, I’d like to point out that, while the chronological new year is January 1, the traditional church new year begins with Advent, a time of preparing for Christmas, four Sundays prior to December 25th. That date varies, obviously, though contemporary Advent Calendars might start December 1st (maximum number of chocolates that way).

So when are things “new” for you?

In the story, Mary and Joseph welcome a baby after quite a journey, a journey physically, spiritually and emotionally. Strangers show up because angels told them to and, later, magi with expensive gifts show up because a prophecy about a star told them to.

I wonder what Mary and Joseph were feeling when they woke up the next morning. It was a new day. Most likely, they were wakened by the baby crying. That would sure be a new experience for them.

They woke up in a strange place, surrounded by animals and strangers they didn’t know. Family and friends were far away. I imagine they had to get moving pretty quickly, finding food, getting that census thing done (that’s why they were there, after all) and figuring out where to get the things a new baby would need. I don’t suppose they could stay where they were for long. There were practical, everyday things that needed doing, many of which might be new for new parents. I don’t suppose there was a whole lot of time for wonder the next day. It was all so new.

But, a couple of times in their account of the story, the author of the Gospel of Luke says that Mary “pondered” things. I imagine she was a deep thinker who wondered what all this might mean. I imagine she, and Joseph, would have found the time to wonder what this new life could hold, how the world was changing for them and how they might be changing the world.

There were certainly going to be challenges ahead, but the future was full of promise, too. They were holding the promise of love and life in the child they now held. And what was it the angel had said to Mary in Luke’s story: God is with you. And in Matthew’s story, the angel tells Joseph that the child is the fulfillment of an old prophecy and will be known as Immanuel, which means “God with us.”

However you count the days, as the new year begins take a moment to ponder what might be ahead. Be open to new things. Be open to the wonder of creation and the possibilities it holds. And remember: however you know God, God is with us.