That night in the fields near Bethlehem some shepherds were guarding their sheep. All at once an angel came down to them from the Lord, and the brightness of the Lord’s glory flashed around them. The shepherds were frightened. But the angel said “Don’t be afraid! I have good news for you, which will make everyone happy. This very day in King David’s hometown a Savior was born for you. He is Christ the Lord. You will know who he is, because you will find him dressed in baby clothes and lying on a bed of hay.” Suddenly many other angels came down from heaven and joined in praising God. They said: “Praise God in heaven! Peace on earth to everyone who pleases God”.
Luke 2:8-14
Reflect on the word BIRTH for a few moments.
“You will find him dressed in baby clothes and lying in a bed of hay.”
How much more mundane and familiar could it have been? No elaborate nurseries with color-coordinated accessories, or video cameras or flash bulbs exploding to record the birth. No text messages, phone calls, Face book or Twitter announcements.
Just a baby, in baby clothes, lying on a soft bed of hay.
Just angels and shepherd sharing the news.
How would such news be received today in the bush and the outback? This is our time for floods and fires, thick smoke shutting out the sun, frightened animals racing to safety and floods sweeping away homes and cities. Extraordinary acts of heroism, compassion and caring take place. Rescue workers, unafraid, respond to calls for help. Police men and women walk the street to keep them safe. Doctors and nurses work tirelessly in hospitals.
AND Babies continue to be born.
God says: Don’t be afraid. The Christ Child is born!
God of the Outback and the City, let me not be afraid. Let me hear your words again: “Peace on earth to everyone.”
© Ranjini Wickramaratne-Rebera
For a number of years, our dear friend Ranjini Rebera wrote Biblical reflections for the use of Gungahlin Uniting Church and others, usually for Advent and Lent. We were privileged to receive these, as Ranjini had a working history of writing and teaching on a global stage. Each time she completed the considerable work on one of these studies for us she would announce firmly, ‘That’s it. That is the last one I’m writing. No more. End of story!’ But as Advent or Lent came around again she would start hinting that she’d had an idea for a reflection – and she would write another one.
When she completed a Reflection for Lent 2021, we were not to know that this really was the last one. Ranjini died on 13 October 2021. We miss her intellect, her leadership, her vivid personality, her artistic gifts, her deep faith and her pastoral heart. We have lost some colour from our world.
The Gungahlin Uniting Church Worship Team, where Ranjini served for several years, offers Ranjini’s study material, first produced in 2015, as we give thanks for her life shared among us.