A simple call
by Tom Brennen
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And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn (Luke 2:7).
May the blessings of Christmas be with you this day as we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Saviour!
When I began my ministry as a lay preacher within the church, my pastor of the time was a former farmer. Luke was his favourite gospel. It was simple, evocative and written for those outside the Jewish faith. Luke offers a simple record of the birth of Christ. But despite this simplicity, there is much for us to reflect on. There is much that brings our minds to the future ministry of this little child.
The simple record brings forth much conversation. The most common image of the site of Jesus’ birth is a stable not too dissimilar to stables today. However, some traditions suggest Jesus was born in the lower room of a crude dwelling where animals were housed, and others say that he was born in a cave. One tradition even proposes that Jesus was born in the open air, for that is where a manger would most likely be. That Mary herself had to wrap Jesus in cloth highlights how alone the family was. This task was usually undertaken by a relative who would be with the young mother at the birth.
The explanation for this situation today is simply that ‘there was no place for them in the inn’.
One commentator sums this up bluntly: ‘There is much we do not know. We only know that everything points to poverty, obscurity, and even rejection.’
In Australia and New Zealand, the lands have been ravaged by bushfires, floods and diseases these past years. Our financial situation has been impacted significantly. In particular, rising inflation is placing many families under increased pressure.
Christmas has always been a time to celebrate and be with family. It is easy for many of us to seek to celebrate in a manner that causes us to forget our troubles and the troubles of others, ‘the reason for the season’, and the humble beginnings of the Lord of our lives.
Among the presents and celebrations on this day, let us not forget the child in the manger who calls us to follow his ministry of caring for the poor and rejected. Many of us will sit at plenteous tables with our infants well-clothed and resting safely. Let us give thanks for our circumstances but also use what we have to help those in need.
Lord, in our plenty, we give thanks on this day that celebrates the birth of your son. Move us to care for our sisters and brothers in need. Amen.
Tom Brennen is currently serving as principal of Lakeside College, a Prep to Year 12 Lutheran school located in Pakenham, Victoria. He has served as a missionary in the Middle East and has a passion for bringing Lutheran thinking to issues of social justice. As an educator, he is dedicated to ensuring a transformative Lutheran education is accessible to all families across Australia. Tom holds a Master of Education from Australian Lutheran College, a Graduate Certificate in Educational Leadership from Australian Catholic University and undergraduate degrees in arts, music and education. As an active academic, Tom has written and presented on many diverse topics, such as worship in Christian schools, the interaction between social justice and Lutheran schools, leading staff professional development and cross-cultural schooling.
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