25 December - Christmas Day

Christmas Day

It was an ordinary night. In fact, if it had not been for God, who loves to put 'extra' before 'ordinary', it might have gone unnoticed. One minute the shepherds are sleeping; the next they are rubbing their eyes, staring at an extra-terrestrial being who says, "I bring you good tidings of great joy... unto you is born... a Saviour..." (Luke 2 vv 10-11). A Saviour - just what we needed, right?

Did you ever wonder why the angel appeared to ordinary people? Just think about it: if he had appeared to theologians, they would have had to consult their dusty commentaries and denominational boards. If he had appeared to celebrities, they would have had to check and see who was watching. If he had appeared to jet-setting executives, they would have had to look at their Filo-faxes and spread sheets. So he gave the news to a bunch of guys with no reputation to protect, no axe to grind, no ladder to climb - men who did not know enough to argue that angels do not serenade shepherds and that messiahs are not found wrapped in rags in a feeding trough.

In Bethlehem, there is a church marking Jesus' supposed birthplace. Behind the altar is a cave with a symbolic star embedded in the floor. You can enter and admire the ancient church. You can also enter the cave - but with one requirement: you must bow down. The door is too low to get in standing upright. The same is true of Jesus. He is generally found among the commonplace. To experience Him, all you have to do is get down on your knees.