Christmas: the love that intends to become justice

In a poem entitled, The Risk of Birth, Madeline L'Englewrites:

"That was no time for a child to be born,

In a land in the crushing grip of Rome;

Honour and truth were trampled by scorn --"

The other side of Christmas is the negative political circumstancesof that birth story. The over-taxation of the poorest people; that's what caused Joseph and Mary to go to Bethlehem. The homelessnessthey experienced when there was no room for them in the inn. Do we, Christians, see in this story of theone we call, savior, the broken heartedness of birth in a stable? Do we ourselves identify with him and hismother as poor and on the margins? Do our hearts break for the reality ofhomelessness here in our midst? Do we see those newborns on the street withtheir mothers as our brothers and sisters as much as Jesus does?

The economic message of Christmas is not often preached thistime of year, but there is no doubt about it.Mary rejoices in the hope of new economic times, and her cousin Elizabeth says, "Blessed isshe who believes that there would be a fulfillment of what is spoken to her byGod." (Luke 1:45) Mary goes on toexclaim: "God has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts andHe has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; Hehas filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away empty."(Luke 1:51-53)

Blessed are we if we believe that God is doing what Godhopes for in this world, and that includes an economic movement which cares forthe poor. If we are to identify with Jesus this holiday season then we need toclaim that the love that claims us is the love that intends to become justice,to be on the side of poor. Perhaps this holiday season if we are among the economicallywell off (and most of us are, compared to God'swhole world) we can consider how the love that loves us longs to become justice in our tax situation and wecan prepare ourselves for a new day of economic sharing. And if we are among the poor, then rejoice,your God knows you, loves you, brings His own son into your midst, and hopes with you for a new day.

This is no time for a child to be born

With the earth betrayed by war and hate

And a comet slashing the sky to warn

That time runs out and the sun burns late.

That was no time for a child to be born,

Honour and truth were trampled by scorn --

Yet here did the Savior make his home.

When is the time for love to be born?

The inn is full on the planet earth,

And by a comet the sky is torn --