In the juxtaposition of the John and Jesus birth stories, we see God\u2019s movement between earth and the cosmic realm. The neighbors and relatives who rejoice over John\u2019s birth are overshadowed by the more universal and expansive cosmic responses to Jesus\u2019 birth. God\u2019s movement is also shown in the religio-political repercussions of Jesus\u2019 birth. The registration of \u201call the world\u201d\u009d asserts Caesar Augustus\u2019s sovereignty over that world\u201d\u201dbut the birth of God\u2019s son is made known not to the emperor or even the governor, but instead to peasant shepherds. Jesus\u2019 birth shows that God is on the move to dethrone the powerful and lift up the lowly. The census, even in Luke\u2019s day, presupposed registration in the place of a person\u2019s residence, not their hometown. But God is on the move, and Luke has Mary and Joseph travel from historical Nazareth to messianic Bethlehem.<\/p>\n
Ironically, the one who will ascend the throne of David enters the world homeless. Forced to place her baby in a feeding trough, Mary improvises a solution for the cool night by wrapping him in cloths. Throughout the Gospel of Luke, Jesus continues to lack a permanent home. Luke\u2019s Jesus, like Luke\u2019s God, is constantly on the move.
Even before his birth, as an unborn child Jesus travels from Mary\u2019s home in Nazareth to her cousin Elizabeth\u2019s home and then back to Nazareth. The shepherds live in the fields, keeping watch over their flocks. The angels appear to them suddenly\u201d\u201dmovement by the heavenly host! Then with haste, we are told, the shepherds move to go find Mary and Joseph and the child. Through their actions, all involved demonstrate the appropriate response to the movement of the omnipotent God, who is determined to bring a savior into the world.<\/p>\n
This season ought to remind us that we are not the only ones who are busy. God is always busy, in the best way, for us.<\/p>\n
—Christian Century<\/b> (December 7, 2016), p.18<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
In the juxtaposition of the John and Jesus birth stories, we see God\u2019s movement between earth and the cosmic realm. The neighbors and relatives who rejoice over John\u2019s birth are overshadowed by the more universal and expansive cosmic responses to…<\/span><\/p>\n