22nd December 2023
A nobody, born to nobodies?
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
Luke 2:8-12 (NIV)
Have you ever heard of the term anthropomorphism? If you haven’t, the word means the attribution of human characteristics or behaviour to non-human beings. It can happen when we believe God thinks and acts like us.
As humans, there are very few events, if indeed any, that are more exciting and life changing than the birth of a child. The soon-to-be parents eagerly anticipate the event and spend hours preparing the nursery and getting all the stuff ready that their baby will need. Everything has to be perfect. Who knew such a small human needed so many things?
When I was expecting my first child, I remember reading the story of Jesus’ birth and being – okay I will admit it – disappointed in God and how he prepared for his son’s arrival. We can read about it in Luke 2:1-14. Mary had to travel a great distance, over 90 miles. I immediately empathised with her. Just before my baby was born, I literally couldn’t waddle far at all, let alone walk 90 miles, and before you say anything, riding on a donkey would just have been a straight out ‘No way!’
Finding no room to stay once they arrived, really? Surely God could have organised for them to have at least a small private room. Birthing a baby is a serious business after all. Then poor Jesus had to sleep in the manger. I know it was probably clean and despite what the nativity scenes show, I am sure no cows were munching straw and drooling over the newborn, but still, come on! If this was how God loved and provided for his son, how could I rely on him to love and provide for me, I reasoned. Anthropomorphism at its best, or worst, depending on how you look at it. I have since repented.
Now I see how incredibly self-emptying Jesus is and how much he loves us: even though he is in very nature God he was willing to be made in human likeness (Philippians 2: 6-7). The circumstances of his humble birth move me beyond measure. When viewed solely through human eyes, Jesus appeared to be a nobody, born to nobodies, and yet God broke into our reality to declare, with a chorus of angels, that Jesus was everything: the ‘Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace’ of Isaiah 9:6. In the beautiful humility of God, Jesus came into the world as one completely impoverished, so that no matter who we are, rich or poor, somebody or nobody, we can declare that Christ is for us.
Jesus is for all of us!
Prayer
Our heavenly Father, thank you for sending us your Son Jesus, who didn’t consider equality with you something to be held on to but came to earth, to live as one of us, yet without sin. We are so grateful for his humble birth and what it teaches us. We give our hearts to you in response. In Jesus’s name, Amen.
Study by Jackie Mill
About the writer:
Jackie Mill is a minister in Grace Communion International and Co-Regional Pastor for Scotland, Ireland, and Northern England.
Local congregation:
Grace Communion International Central Glasgow
Garnethill Room
Conference Suite
St Andrews West
260 Bath Street
Glasgow
G2 4JP
Meeting time:
Sunday 11:15 am
Local congregational contact:
Peter Mill
Email: edinburgh@gracecom.church
Word of Life contact:
wordoflife@gracecom.church