Preaching and Praise

Luke 2:8-20

Angels and shepherds occupy center stage on this Christmas day. They provide interpretations of and model responses to Jesus’ birth.

The stage is not the emperor’s palace nor the Jerusalem temple. It is a “nothing-place,” fields “in the region” of Bethlehem (2:8). Shepherds were of low social status. They had no social prestige or power. They were suspected of being dishonest in letting flocks graze in fields belonging to other people.

An angel preaches the first Christmas sermon that announces good news of a savior born in David’s city, Christ/Messiah the Lord (2:9-11). The language of “good news” and “savior” was used for emperors and their actions. But in the midst of the empire, in David’s city, another “savior” is born. Jesus is “anointed” to carry on David’s agenda to transform the unjust status quo.

A host of angels praises God, and announces divine favor and peace (2:14). The Roman empire declared it brought peace through conquest. Angels pronounce a different peace comprising just societal structures and access to resources.

The shepherds respond by becoming godly disciples. They discern a word from God (2:15). They go to Bethlehem. Like missionaries, they bear witness to what the angels have told them (2:17-18). They praise God and celebrate the word about Jesus (2:20).

That’s a Christmas celebration comprising proclamation of God’s justice-working actions and a celebration of what God is doing.

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