God’s Shalom
by Brit Holmberg
Read Luke 2: 8-18
In modern times, Jesus is often referred to as the Savior of all humankind. But this passage from Luke offers a broader view of Jesus’ saving power. Take a minute to imagine the scene that is depicted by verses 16-18. Here we have the traditional crèche scene: the beleaguered and hopeful shepherds, the smelly and noisy stable animals, and proud Mary and Joseph full of exhaustion, uncertainty, and awe. All of these creatures surround the baby Jesus – this unexpected newborn wrapped in bands of cloth, who is just beginning to open his eyes to the world.
Notice how the Gospel writer communicates that all of Creation is represented in this passage. Humans and animals and angels all rejoice at this child’s birth! As God incarnate, his life and ministry have profound significance for all living creatures and the entire Creation. This was a common Jewish belief in Jesus’ time: that God’s Shalom would infuse the world and re-establish the harmony that God intends for it. “That the wolf will lay down with the lamb…and a little child shall lead them.” (Isaiah 11)
As Christians, we hold onto the vision of this Peaceable Kingdom and we mourn the ways in which it is being obscured. We are members of an economy that frequently commoditizes Creation by exploiting the land and the animals that inhabit it and by overusing natural resources. Our culture of consumption teaches us to be separate from the earth and yet we cannot exist without it.
And yet, in the midst of this brokenness, the Living Christ calls us to see things in a different light. Much like the crèche scene from Luke, Jesus stands at the center of it all and reminds us of our interconnectedness with the planet. The incarnation is evidence that God loves all of Creation and is committed to its redemption. In this Advent season, let us pray for God’s Shalom and for the wisdom to welcome it into our lives.
December 18th, 2009 at 7:52 am
This gave me chills. Amen again and again.