Sermon - Luke 2:1-14 - Christmas Eve

<p>Tonight’s gospel reading begins with three very important words: <strong>In those days!  “In those days</strong> a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that <strong>all</strong> the world should be registered.”  As we think about this treasured story, I am going to say something that just may shatter some of your preconceived notions.  I must tell you, there is <strong>no</strong> historical evidence that this decree, as told by Luke, ever took place.  And, unless there is something we do <strong>not</strong> know, the writer of Luke’s gospel also seems to be incorrect about Quirinius or Herod the Great or both because traditional dating of the birth of Jesus would locate it during the reigns of <strong>neither</strong> Herod the Great <strong>nor</strong> Quirinius.  So, what is going on here?  Well, Luke is <strong>not</strong> interested in giving an <strong>historical</strong> account of Jesus’ birth because he <strong>is</strong> interested in proclaiming a much <strong>deeper</strong> truth!</p> <p>Luke gives us this information, <strong>not</strong> as history, but as a <strong>theological</strong> work to tell the story of One who has come into this world to <strong>change</strong> and quite literally <strong>shatter</strong> the <strong>status quo</strong>.  Luke’s gospel, more than any of the other gospels, addresses the social, cultural, and political environment. So, Luke gives us <strong>this</strong> information as a way of setting the <strong>political</strong> and <strong>social</strong> <strong>context</strong> for the coming appearance of this One we call Jesus and the astonishing, <strong>awesome</strong> arrival of a <strong>brand-new world</strong>. Luke begins with <strong>“In those days…”</strong> as he depicts a time of census taking and taxes, a time of authoritative orders and pronouncements, a time shaped by business as usual in a world organized by accepted oppressive power structures, a world where those in power work to maintain the tired and hopeless status quo. The setting of L