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Christmas Eve
The Good News Written
Luke 2.1-14 (NRSV)
1In those days a decree went out from Emporer Augustus that all the word should be registered. 2This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3All went to to thier own towns to be registered. 4Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house of David. 5He went to be registered with Mary, to whomhe was engaged and who was expecting a child. 6While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. 7And 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.
8In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9Then the angel… stood brfore them, and [ divine glory ] shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, ” Do not be afraid; for see — I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: 11to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. 12This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.” 13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying , 14″ Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace…!”
The Good News Proclaimed
A Ridiculous Story by Rev. Dr. Durrell Watkins
Sunshine Cathedral, Christmas Eve 2009
Luke 2.1-4
I want a hippopotamus for Christmas.
Only a hippopotamus will do.
Don’t want a doll; no dinky tinker toy.
I want a hippopotamus to play with and enjoy.
I want a hippopotamus for Christmas.
I don’t think Santa Claus will mind, do you?
He won’t have to use the dirty chimney flue;
Just bring him through the front door that’s the easy thing to do.
I can see me now on Christmas morning,
Creeping down the stairs!
Oh what joy and what surprise when I open up my eyes
And see a hippo hero standing there.
I want a hippopotamus for Christmas.
Only a hippopotamus will do.
No crocodiles or rhinocereroses,
I only like hippopotamuses; and hippopotamuses like me too!
And hippopotamuses like me too!
Love for a hippo?
Excitement over a hippo?
It’s ridiculous, isn’t it?
But then the Christmas narrative is ridiculous, and therefore liberating, and joyous, and empowering. We know it by heart, and yet we yearn to hear it again every year.
It’s ridiculous to think that in the first century Roman Empire, a peasant baby might be exalted for millennia to come!
When Augustus was Caesar, he was the most powerful human alive. His uncle and adoptive father, Julius, had been raised to the status of a deity, which made Augustus the son of a god. When there was news of his conquests, or of the empire’s prosperity, that was called Good news (gospel). When the empire was as peace, Caesar was considered the sovereign of peace. As the emperor, he was the king of all kings. The son of a god, the prince of peace, the king of kings, the one about whom good news was proclaimed, the ruler with almost unlimited power…in Caesar’s world, how ridiculous is it to think that an unwed, teenage mother in a land occupied by Caesar’s army could have a baby in a barn with hay and goat droppings and cow slobber, and that THIS would be the story people would remember and celebrate!
It’s ridiculous to think that angels would appear to shepherds working and living outdoors with livestock, and that these shepherds would find grace and hope in a homeless baby’s birth in a stable!
But the Christmas story is the story of God breaking through, showing up in the ridiculous.
Maybe it’s ridiculous to celebrate life even when illness is at hand.
Maybe it’s ridiculous to love again after your heart’s been broken.
Maybe it’s ridiculous to affirm your own sacred value when religion and society have labeled you a sinner.
Maybe it’s ridiculous to have hope when the situation seems hopeless.
Maybe it’s ridiculous to feel blessed when the bills are piling up.
Maybe it’s ridiculous to pray for peace when the rest of the world seems to be rushing to war.
Maybe it’s ridiculous to work and wait for the day when there is liberty and justice for ALL.
But Christmas says the ridiculous is the foundation for the miraculous.
Christmas says the ridiculous can be joyous.
The ridiculous is how God seems to show up.
It’s certainly how God shows up in the xmas story.
The xmas story is about outcasts, people who have been denied dignity and power encountering angels and finding miracles in the midst of difficulties, and learning that no matter what religion or government or society may say about them, God is with them. Just as they are, right where they are…God is with them. And even the angels join them in wishing for peace on earth and goodwill that leaves no one out…goodwill for all people.
As ridiculous as it may sound, this is the xmas story and this is the good news. Amen.
© Durrell Watkins 2009
Hope is born in me tonight.
Peace is born in me tonight.
Joy is born in me tonight.
Love is born in me tonight.
All that God is, is right where I am tonight.
Alleluia!
And so it is.
[1] “I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas” written by John Rox, 1950 (originally recorded by 10 year Gayla Peavy in 1953)
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December 27th, 2009 - 8:43 pm
Excellent insights on the Christmas story, Durrell. Thanks for sharing it. People who “know something that others don’t” often do or believe ridiculous things that turn out not so ridiculous!