Thursday, December 25, 2025

Christmas Devotion

Today's Scripture
Luke 2:1–20

In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph 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 and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And 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.

In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see — I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!” When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. (NRSV)

Reflection

This Christmas, we are living under decrees in a way that feels different to me. Here in Chicago, though their daily physical presence has diminished, the decree announced both out loud and tacitly is “Get out,” directed at some of our most vulnerable neighbors.

This decree comes from the top, where the President and the Secretary of Homeland Security gleefully post pictures and videos of apprehensions and deportations. Even if you’re not immediately threatened by this decree, the spectacle of masked agents throwing people into unmarked vehicles and speeding away to who knows where should frighten you.

This decree threatens all of us.

Mary and Joseph, too, were threatened by a decree. The census demanded by the emperor in Luke’s Christmas story is probably for the purpose of taxation. It aims to count people like coins. Mary and Joseph have no choice but to migrate (at least temporarily) to Bethlehem at the snap of the empire’s finger. For two poor Jews, the consequences of noncompliance would surely be severe.

Yet the good news we hold to (and that holds us) this Christmas is that the decree is not the only word addressing us, and it most certainly is not the last word. Because there are messengers announcing great joy for all people (all people) for any who will listen.

To receive it we will need to tune our hearing from a frequency of decree to one of experience and story. The shepherds entrusted with the Christmas message are likely itinerant migrant laborers, and for that message to reach us, they must tell their story, and we must listen.

Prayer

Today, O God, the soles of your feet have touched the earth. Today, the back street, the forgotten place, have been lit up with significance. Today, the households of earth welcome the King of heaven. For you have come among us, you are one of us. So may our songs rise to surround your throne as our knees bend to salute your cradle. Amen.

(Taken from the Book of Common Order of the Church of Scotland)

Reflection written by Rocky Supinger, Senior Associate Pastor

Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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