The birth of Jesus in a world of challenges

The life and ministry of Lord Jesus Christ in the planet earth demonstrates his identification with human beings. Even the Christmas events show us how he identified with the poor, marginalized and suffering humanity. The contemporary context today is much similar to the narratives during the first Christmas.

Political policy decision
The Roman Emperor orders for a Census in his vast Empire. May be it was to boost his ego or make administration more effective. Any way the Edict would mean a lot of travelling by people in the whole Empire as they were required to register themselves in their hometown. Similar, political decisions that cause great human misery and pain is the order of this day also. Ill-informed leaders, autocratic leaders take decisions that affect millions of innocent people. A Godly leader, with justice and righteousness mindset would avoid such blunders and provide meaningful life for citizens. Unfortunately, today the world is ruled by people, who do not have capacity to address the complicated issues faced by the world today.

Compelled to travel
Travelling in those days were difficult and dangerous than today. A Government order compels pregnant Mary and Joseph to travel to their hometown. It was indeed a risky travel for a pregnant woman. It was not picnic or excursion but fulfilment of a formality dictated by the regime. There is no record to know for sure how many people were maimed or killed due to the travel for completing Census process of the Roman Empire. Many people today spend a considerable time commuting to work and back home within major cities and from and to cities. It is stressful for body and mind as they cannot afford home near their work place or get jobs near their homes. Mary and Joseph and Lord Jesus in the womb experienced this ordeal.

Over crowded
Bethlehem was overcrowded as many cities are today. The hospitality business was booming that time of Census. There were so many guest to cater for. Around the world people are crowded in most cities, especially in Asia and Africa. A sea of humanity could be seen in those busy cities. There are crowds of humanity everywhere competing for limited resources. In spite of crowd, people experience loneliness. The overpopulated earth now finds scarcity and even pollution of natural resources. There is water scarcity, air pollution and lack of several things like space and even privacy. Did not baby Jesus experience such situation?

No place in the inn
From modern lifestyle perspective, Joseph may have failed to reserve a room in the inn. Is not competition evident in all areas of life? Competing for resources is daily job for many around the world. Joseph and Mary were in the losers group desperately. Even the heavenly father did not make any special provision for the birth of the Son of God. There are millions in many cities around the world who do not have a home to stay. They stay in make-shift shelters, insecure and vulnerable to accidents and natural disasters.

Struggles of a nuclear family
In Bethlehem, Joseph did not have a close relationship with the extended family. He had to fend for himself. There was not an elderly relative around to help the pregnant Mary to have safe delivery. Today, most families are nuclear, without the counsel and help of the elderly.

Unhygienic
The delivery to the Son of God did not happen in home or in an institution, but in an unhygienic context. The room was shared with animals. Is not space crunch an issue for urban poor? Sometimes, human beings live like sub-human beings while animals have better facilities. Health and hygiene is not a right for a large section of humanity in many poor nations. The maternal mortality rate and infant mortality rate is high in many poor countries as the poor do not have access to health care.

Poor offering
The visit to the Temple of Jerusalem indicates the fulfilment of Moses Law. (Luke 2: 22-24) The offering denotes that Joseph and Mary had very little resources and opted for a 'below poverty line' offering of two doves. Economic deprivation is the lot of the poor. Unfortunately, Government policies of several nations do not mitigate their sufferings, in fact increase theirs. This also teaches humanity that poverty is not an excuse for ignoring spiritual needs.

Rich and fame are dangerous
The visitors from the East were generous. Their gifts were appropriate and timely. However, the wise men had declared that "Jesus was the King". That created a commotion in the ruling establishment and a political crisis. Paranoid Herod did not want a rival even if it is just an infant. Herod was willing to eradicate any competition ruthlessly. Is not power politics similar in many parts of the world? Killing political rivals, ethnic cleansing, and genocide are happening even today because of paranoid leaders and manipulators like Herod. An angel warned Joseph and Mary to run for life, become a refugee in another nation.

Refugee
Are not refugees or displaced people or immigrants or uprooted people common today around the world? Political rivalry, economic compulsion, social hatred, and natural and man-made disasters displace millions of people. These people are vulnerable and many times lose all except their lives. They struggle to rebuild their lives again. As an infant refugee, Lord Jesus was exposed to dangers in Egypt. The uprooted family must have survived with minimum resources and comfort.

Blue-collared worker
Joseph was a hard working man, engaged in the profession of carpentry. It was not a sophisticated job, that did not need hard labour. Jesus Christ as a young boy was initiated as apprentice in that profession. By doing so, Lord Jesus Christ taught the world the 'dignity of labour' and work ethics.

Challenge
Lord Jesus Christ incarnation was not a fable that happened in a King's palace with all comforts, resources and servants. It was an ordinary incident, largely unnoticed by people. However, that intervention in human history transformed humanity and world history. Christmas gives us courage to face an unfair, evil, sinful world and yet be triumphant.