The Preference

January 1, Sunday, The Octave Day of Christmas
Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God
Daily Readings: Nm 6:22-27, Gal 4:4-7; Gospel: Luke 2:16-21

Of all the people to invite into the party, he called in those who didn’t matter.

Oftentimes, whenever I attend parties, I would see how intimate they would be as the host would often invite those closest to them.  Likewise in weddings, couples often invite people of stature and power to serve as guests or godparents. In other words, people get invited because they matter to the one who invited them.

In the Lukan version of the nativity scene, God also gave out an invitation. But this time it was strangely given to shepherds. In the social mentality of that time, they were the ones who didn’t matter. They were regarded among those at the peripheries of Jewish society at that time.

Of all those that God could have invited through the angels, why them? It’s indicative of the kind of Messiah that God has sent for his people. That the saviour was not someone who would simply serve according to the constructs and conventions of human society. But rather, he would be a messiah for those at the margins.

The role of the child that was born is clear at this point. He would bring all people into his grace regardless of who and where that person is from. God embraces humanity in its fullness, and in this case not only in the best of what we could be but also in the lowliness of our nature. Such is his love for all of us, such is his love for you.