December 24: The Real and True
♫ Music:
In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying “Glory to God in the highest,?And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.”
Luke 2: 8-14
THE REAL AND TRUE
Luke places a particular emphasis in his gospel, the Good News of Jesus Christ, on the poor and humble. Shepherds were among the lowly of the low, social outcasts of the day. Their work with sheep caused them to be ceremonially unclean, yet they were committed to their flocks, guarding them from thieves or other animals that would cause harm. Perhaps the most trying aspect was the solitariness and mundaneness in the day after day followed by night after night responsibilities of watching, caring, and protecting their flocks. Perhaps they were huddled together that night, scanning the landscape, listening for the sounds of anyone or anything that might threaten their flock.
That night started as most other nights, dark, alone, and quiet, with perhaps the occasional bleating of a restless ewe or a ram unable to sleep. It would prove to be, however, unlike any other. Imagine, without warning, being jolted from the evening stillness by an angel of the Lord, appearing with such an intensity of dazzling light, the glory of the Lord. Their natural reaction was terror. Not having time to react with fight or flight, the shepherds were speechless, caught with the gasp of air midway down their throats. The angel’s first words addressed their state of terror and reassured them: “Do not be afraid.” Fear would be replaced with joy. This joy came in the angel’s birth announcement of the long-awaited Christ. Here is the good news of great joy: A Savior has been born in Bethlehem, the city of David. It has happened just as the prophets Isaiah (7:14; 9:6-7) and Micah had foretold (5:2). God’s promise echoed throughout the Old Testament is now actualized. This is the advent of the One Who is God Incarnate. And this will be the sign, that in contrast to the glorious angelic announcement, the Christ, the Messiah, would be found in humble surroundings. He will be found wrapped in swaddling cloths and placed in an animal’s feeding trough.
The contrasts Luke records are stunning. Readers of Luke’s gospel could not—should not—miss them. Clearly the real and true are posited against the imposters. Caesar Augustus, meaning “Illustrious One,” was the reigning emperor at the time. Whereas Augustus claimed to be the savior of the world, and was added as one of the number of gods recognized by Rome, God gives the true Savior of the world, and his salvation would extend beyond the boundaries of the Roman Empire.
And the true Savior of the world brings true peace. Whereas peace in the Roman world, Pax Romana, was achieved through conquest, plunder, oppression, and taxation, real peace on earth comes from God as a gift. No wonder the “army” of angels proclaim, “Glory to God!”
With the birth announcement comes an invitation. We are invited to know the peace God extends to his favored ones, those established in a relationship with him through Jesus Christ. This is the soul-satisfying peace of God.
Joanne Jung, Associate Professor of Biblical and Theological Studies
GIVER of every good and perfect gift, we thank you for this night when the angels sang, the star shone brightly, and the heavens proclaimed the birth of your Son. We lift our voices in hymns of praise to you and your great love. As shepherds journeyed long ago to see this thing which had come to pass, so also now we bow before you with wonder and awe. You have entered the stage of history with the promise of peace to the nations. Hosanna in the highest! Our hearts are made glad.
James Kirk
Shepherds
Flemish Illuminated Manuscript
Master of the Houghton Miniatures, 1470s-1480s
The Getty Museum, Los Angeles, CA
Digital Image Courtesy of the Getty’s Open Content Program
About the Art
Illuminated by the bright light of a graceful angel above, shepherds in the fields outside Bethlehem shield their eyes as they kneel in homage. The angel announces the birth of Jesus, but the impassive faces of the peasants show that they do not yet grasp the importance of the message. Using a muted palette of blues and gold, the Master of the Houghton Miniatures evoked the stillness and beauty of a nocturnal landscape. The scene is lit only by the glow of the angel high in the sky, by a diminutive ballet of gilded angels gliding down toward the manger in the stable beyond, and by the light within the stable itself. In this miniature the shepherds have the coarse and rugged features of the peasants seen in paintings by the Flemish artist Hugo van der Goes. Their richly modeled and precisely contoured faces have no equal in Flemish manuscript illumination. The artist's achievement in naturalism is all the more remarkable considering the very small format of the miniature. The miniature probably came from an elaborate illuminated book of hours that is now in the Houghton Library at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Website: http://www.getty.edu/art/gettyguide/artObjectDetails?artobj=112303
Gloria Angel
The Pickel Studio
Stained Glass Window
St. Mark's Anglican Church, Vero Beach, FL
About the Art
The Pickel Studio with more than a half-century of commissions to its credit, continues to create innovative stained glass, mosaic and sculpture for religious, secular, and public projects throughout North America. From traditional to contemporary, the Pickel Studio has skilled staff accomplished to creating new stained glass artwork to complement a wide range of architectural environments. Additionally, the studio has artists and craftspeople specializing in quality stained glass restorations. Pickel Studio also offers masterful mosaic murals and dynamic sculptures in wood, bronze, or stone.
Website: http://www.pickelstudio.com/
Webstie: http://www.stmarksvero.org
About the Performers
The Concordia Choir, under the direction of Dr. René Clausen, is widely considered one of the world’s premier undergraduate vocal ensembles. The 72-voice choir is a leader in interpreting and advancing the Lutheran choral tradition. The choir’s long and distinguished history dates back to its beginning in 1920. The group has performed in nearly every major concert hall in the United States including Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center.
Website: http://www.concordiacollege.edu/music/ensembles/choirs/
About the Composer
The words and lyrics of the carol O Holy Night was written by Placide Cappeau de Roquemaure in 1847. Cappeau was a wine seller by trade and asked by his parish priest to compose a poem for Christmas. He wrote the words of the hymn and then realized that it should have music to accompany the words. He approached his friend Adolphe Adams (1803-1856). Adams attended the Paris conservatorie and forged a brilliant career as a composer. His most performed work is O Holy Night.
O Holy Night Lyrics:
O Holy Night,
The stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of the dear Savior’s birth.
Long lay the world, in sin and error pining
Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn
Fall on your knees!
Oh hear the angel voices
Oh night divine
Oh night when Christ was born
Oh night divine
Oh night divine
Led by the light of Faith serenely beaming
With glowing hearts by his cradle we stand
Led by a star above and brightly gleaming
Appeared the wise men from far eastern land
The King of Kings lay in a lowly manger
To us this day is born to be our God
Fall on your knees!
Oh hear, the angel voices
Oh night divine
Oh night when Christ was born
Oh night divine
Oh night divine