Thoughts from DS Olivia
In the Christmas story, there is a thread of potential reputation harm you can find if you are looking. Mary is visited by an angel and told she will become pregnant by the Holy Spirit even though she is a virgin. A pregnancy without being married would be deeply damaging to the reputations of Mary, her family, and Joseph—her betrothed.
Joseph wasn’t sure what to do with the news of his soon-to-be wife's pregnancy. He didn’t want to harm her, but he also didn’t want to marry her. The scriptures tell us he was going to divorce her quietly. He was a good man; he would guard her reputation as much as possible, even as his was harmed.
Shepherds had questionable reputations. They were tasked with caring for very valuable assets, but some scholars tell us they were not to be relied upon for testimony in court. They had a reputation of not being trustworthy with the truth. Angels visited them to share the Good News of the birth of the Messiah. People of questionable reputation receiving the best news and then being asked to spread that news?
The Magi from the East appear to be reputable. They are people of learning and wealth and with hearts of worship. They were invited to speak with the leaders of the land because their reputation was so good. After finding the Christ child they were warned to go a different way home and not back to Herod. They could suffer reputation harm by not obeying the man with the most power.
Mary could suffer immense shame and even be cast out of her family and community and yet she said, “May it be to me as you have said.” She is the mother of our Savior.
Joseph could have found another wife and put this painful experience behind him, yet he took Mary to be his wife and raised Jesus as his own. He is the earthly father of our Savior.
The shepherds could have kept the wild news to themselves knowing no one trusted them anyway, but they shared it. They were the first to spread the Good News that a Savior who is King of kings, Lord of lords, and Prince of peace has been born! They were the first evangelists of our Savior
The Magi could have kept their reputations intact, headed back to the seat of power and influence, and told where the Christ child was. Yet, they went home another way, moved more by the Christ child than the trappings of this world. They were the first radical outsiders drawn to worship our Savior.
Reputation harm can impact us, but obedience can transform us. Jesus later taught the power of obedience. He declared that those who obey His teaching are his true family. (Mark 3:33-35)
The Messiah teaches us in word and deed. As we seek to be obedient, no matter the reputation harm that may cause us in our families, communities, church, and broader world we must know what Jesus said. This Advent and Christmas season could be a great time to reacquaint yourself with what Jesus said in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Listen closely, invite the Holy Spirit to speak through the words on the page, and empower you to live as a family member of the Lord.
We also must pay attention to what Jesus did. Paul illustrates it very clearly in Philippians 2. Humility, setting aside power, moving into the neighborhood with those who are oppressed, being a servant. Too often Christians are seeking the opposite in our culture. Happier to be proud and rude, close to power or grasping for it, moving into places of comfort and prestige, being served… We want a “good” reputation. The call to the manger and ultimately to the Savior and the holy life is about obedience, not reputation. It cost Jesus His life, it will cost us too.
Aren’t we glad Mary, Joseph, the Shepherds, and the Magi chose obedience over reputation? I’m praying that I, and all of us, will receive the gift of grace through Jesus Christ to be obedient too. And then it will be said of us, “They were the family of God.”
Pastor Olivia
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