The Tramp of Feet & the Prince of Peace

                                                              Mary Gives Birth to Jesus --John Guiliani

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness on them light has shined.

You have multiplied the nation, you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as people exult when dividing plunder.

For the yoke of their burden, and the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian.

 For all the boots of the tramping warriors and all the garments rolled in blood shall be burned as fuel for the fire.

 For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

His authority shall grow continually, and there shall be endless peace for the throne of David and his kingdom. He will establish and uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time onward and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this. 

Isaiah 9:2-7 NRSVue

This is no time for a child to be born,
With the earth betrayed by war & hate
And a comet slashing the sky to warn
That time runs out & the sun burns late.

That was no time for a child to be born,
In a land in the crushing grip of Rome;
Honor & truth were trampled to 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—
Yet Love still takes the risk of birth.

The Risk of Birth -- Madeleine L'Engle 

Last evening President Volodymyr Zelensky the courageous and seemingly tireless leader of the beleagured Ukrainian people addressed the Congress of the United States. This historic speech drew comparisons to British Prime Minister Winston Churchill seeking support from the same body in 1941, 81 years ago almost to the day, when he claimed, rightly, that the "time of tribulation was upon us."  It was a phrase which had a biblical resonance. 

In both circumstances these leaders were seeking financial support for war efforts, including money for military aid along with weapons. Zelensky's appeal argued that this is not charity but a bulwark against the advances of a Russian regime which would not stop at conquering Ukraine, which is likely true. The member nations of NATO, Canada among them, and others in Europe have pledged unwavering solidarity and support. The 2023 budget for the United States includes a mind-boggling $44 billion in aid, about half of that being military. It is a reminder that without the US Ukraine would be crushed by what really is a wicked empire. 

While Orthodox Christmas isn't for another ten days, in North America we are only a breath away from our celebration of Christ's birth. As the responses to Zelenky's speech and America's response have emerged I wondered about a passage in Isaiah about the "boots of the tramping warriors." Sure enough, it is from the Hebrew scripture reading for Christmas Eve which probably won't be heard in most churches because of the focus on the wonderful passage about Jesus' birth in Luke's gospel. Yet it gives us that powerful image of the blood-stained clothing of war being wrapped up and burned in preparation for the birth of the Prince of Peace. 

The gospel writer, Luke, makes sure we know the context of the birth of Jesus, within the Roman  empire of occupation, the most powerful which had existed to that moment in time. The empire which eventually fell despite how improbable that would have seemed in that historical moment.

Churchill's time of tribulation is still upon us. Can we begin to imagine the trauma of Ukrainian mothers giving birth to children as bombs rain from the sky, some of them on maternity hospitals? While I am grateful for the support Ukraine is receiving I also grieve that the vast amounts being spent on a senseless war are not directed to healing the suffering Earth or ensuring that the impoverished millions of starving and displaced people receive what they need. 

Vulnerable Jesus, Saviour Christ, Prince of Peace, change our hearts and open our eyes. 

 In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered.

This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria.

All went to their own towns to be registered.

Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David.

He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child.

While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child.

And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

Luke 2:1-7 NRSVue