Bah, Humbug! To be honest, that’s how I felt about Christmas this year. In particular, about gift giving. I felt overwhelmed before I even gave it rational thought. I was defeated before I even tried. With 15 widely scattered grandchildren and very limited income, it seemed impossible. So I just gave up.
Funny how the time meant for joy and celebration seems to bring out our own hang-ups, 
fears, and hurts. They raise their ugly heads and demand to be dealt with – or drowned out with excesses. One of my own hang-ups that rears up during the holidays is money. I want to give special gifts, but retirement has definitely put a crimp in my giving style. So do I let shame cloud my holidays? Do I listen to my fear of not being able to prove my love to our grandchildren? Shame and fear can easily push me into a self-pity corner. And the view in the corner isn’t very pretty.
My mind drifted to the first people to celebrate Christmas, the birth of Christ. What sprang to mind was the great gap between the shepherds and the wise men. They each had something of value to offer, but how different they were! I realized that there was no favoritism on God’s part based on economic status. God greatly honored the low-class shepherds by letting them know of Jesus’ birth first. They had nothing physical to give such an important baby. What if they had hesitated to go visit the Child because they didn’t have gifts? They didn’t have the time or the resources to bring material presents. But they could give their own presence. Putting myself in the place of Mary, what an affirmation it must have been to hear the shepherds’ story of seeing angels. I think they confirmed to Mary and Joseph what they knew already. But what a lift to hear that the angel told the same story to the shepherds as the angel had told them. When things seemed to be all wrong- a hard trip, a stable birth, God reassured them that things were still on track. His plan was still working. Seeing the wonder and enthusiasm that spilled out of these simple men must have been a boost to weary Mary and stressed Joseph. And who knows what help came when the shepherds took it upon themselves to be Jesus first PR team? The angels announced to them and they announced to everyone else.
“They told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished, but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often.” Luke 2:17-19
Later, dignitaries from a gentile eastern country arrived with valuable gifts. It must have been both surprising and comforting to hear that even foreigners knew about their special child. But the visitors knew him not as Messiah, but as a king-to-be. They happily brought material things which was the customary way to honor a young ruler. They were overjoyed to bow down and worship him. All too soon these gifts would be needed to sustain the young family as they were forced into exile.
“Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. About that time some royal astrologers from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.” ” Matthew 2:1-2
God revealed the different roles of Jesus to different people. To the shepherds familiar with the ancient Jewish scriptures, God revealed him as the long-awaited Messiah, Savior, and Lord. To the wise men who were royal advisers, God revealed Jesus as a king. To the shepherds, God used the vehicle of angels. Jews were aware of the existence of these supernatural beings who served mankind. But to the astrologers, he used the vehicle of an unusual star. They were aware of the significance of this sign in the night sky. The religious and the pagan . . . both had to make a choice after being made aware of the birth. They all chose to search and were graciously rewarded. Seek and find.
They each had special gifts to offer. Each in their own way provided something important and necessary that Joseph and Mary needed to fulfill their roles as parents of the Savior. The working class guys brought confirmation, encouragement, enthusiasm, and spread the word about the child. The well-to-do cabinet members brought encouragement, respect, and monetary support that would be needed within hours.
I have to believe that I, too, have something to offer. At this chapter in my life, I don’t have many material things to give. (Altho, after I quit feeling shameful and afraid, I actually found some small gifts that are simple tokens of our love.) But if I take the time, I can affirm my children and grandchildren as the shepherds did for Mary and Joseph. I can confirm their unique roles. I can be their enthusiastic cheerleader. I can share my spiritual experiences. I can model contentment by humbly accepting my current circumstances. I can talk positively about them and to them.
I wonder, since Mary and Joseph stayed in Bethlehem for a while, did the shepherds continue to visit the Child when they could? Did they help the young family as they were able? Did they forge relationships until the family’s escape from brutal, baby-killing Herod? After their exile to Egypt, on their return years later to Israel, did Mary, Joseph, and the young Jesus visit the shepherds on their way home to Nazareth? Did they ever meet up at the yearly Passover celebration in nearby Jerusalem? Were any of them still living when Jesus reached adulthood and began to preach and heal? Were any of them part of the happy crowd that escorted him into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday? Did one of them watch in horror as their own Messiah and King was executed? Were any of them among the 500 people in the crowd who saw Jesus after he came back to life? Did they once again spread the happy news?