Out Our Way: The first redneck Christmas - Luke 2:8-14

Out our way, great scenes of beauty are common if one opens their eyes to it. One of the things I most loved was getting out of town to go camping and getting away from all the lights. In the darkness of the big open the sky lights up with a million stars. I am amazed by the sight and often would just stare in wonder. 

I am told the Christmas tree we all hold so dear in America came from Germany and from Martin Luther. According to the story, he was out one dark night in winter when there was no moon - and the stars were especially brilliant. What struck him most was the way the stars shone through the pine tree - O, Tannenbaum. Anyway, he got the idea to cut down a small evergreen and put candles on the boughs to simulate the stars of heaven shining through the branches.    

Seeing the heavens alight with fire is an inspiring sight, be it the full moon, the Milky Way, the Northern Lights, or Haley's Comet. It reminds us that earth is but a tiny part of creation - and we are but a small part of earth. Yet, despite our status as minutia, God chose to come among us as one of us.

Many hymns and sermons refer to Christ as our King - and so He is. Yet as we remember the Christmas story, He was not born in Jerusalem, the capital of the nation where the Holy Temple and Herod's great palace stood in majesty and grandeur. Instead he was born in a backwater hick town called Bethlehem. He had no cradle, but was placed in a feeding trough in a drafty stable. But maybe of all the "indignities" of the birth of "Emmanuel" i.e. "God with us," consider whom God chose as the welcoming committee! Shepherds!

You have to understand that shepherds were despised by the elites as "unwashed trailer trash," poor, unsophisticated, and less than welcome in "good society." And while it was true, due to the primitive conditions they endured out in the pastures day and night for much of the year, they often were unwashed and less than spotless in dress and manners, but worse - they were unable to perform all of the daily rituals and outward signs of religious obedience imposed by the Pharisees and Scribes. Judged by appearance rather than their character, they were condemned and rejected by the religious and cultural elite as unworthy members of society. Yet God chose them to be the first witnesses to Messiah's birth and the fulfillment of the words of the Jewish prophets. How rude of God!

Imagine the idea ... that God can love and care for rednecks and other deplorables and honor them! No wonder King Herod and his court were so upset! No wonder the High Priest and his court sought to put down this upstart movement and joined forces with the pagans, corrupt political leaders, and the rich and powerful elite of society. God was turning the whole world upside down.

The "insult" continues, for, here and there, Nativity scenes are depicted in homes and in front yards and even by some daring businesses. And notice: shepherds and kings standing side by side in worship of the Christ. Seems Christ was meant for everybody despite the complaints and protests of Herod and company.

Hope to see you with the rest of us "rednecks" who have the courage to "go and see this thing which the Lord has told us about." 

Be blessed and be a blessing!

Brother John

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The Rev. John Bruington is the retired pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Havre. He now lives in Colorado, but continues to write "Out Our Way." He can be reached for comment or dialogue at [email protected].