In the classic story of Rudolf, the red nose reindeer, we know that Rudolf was cast aside because he was different. The movie shows other outcasts: Hermie the elf with round ears who doesn’t want to make toys, an entire island of ‘misfit toys’ like the Jack in the Box named Charlie, and Yukon Cornelius and the Bumble who don’t ‘fit’ the norms of society. Each of these characters is quietly or not-so-quietly dismissed from participation in the world of Santa Claus, that is, at least, until value is seen in the gifts they offer.
Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly.
The story of Jesus begins with a pregnant, young woman whose situation doesn’t ‘fit’ the norms of society. Pregnancy is supposed to happen in marriage – that is how lineage is best established. Outside of that circumstance, questions arise. It gets awkward.
Mary’s situation was awkward. Knowing this, Joseph had a choice: it was well within his rights to shame her, to make a point of telling the whole community that Mary was not carrying his child. This could have even led to charges of adultery and harsh punishment for Mary. The child wasn’t his. He didn’t have to take responsibility. He could wash his hands of this whole awkwardness and get on with his life.
We are privileged when we can wash our hands of awkwardness and get on with life. We are privileged when we can quietly and not-so-quietly dismiss those who don’t ‘fit’ our social norms and get on with life. We are privileged when we ‘fit’ the social norms well enough that our gifts aren’t questioned and devalued. We are privileged when, like Joseph, the choice is ours to make.
Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly.
It is a privilege to ‘fit’ into society. Not everyone has that privilege. How many people find themselves on the outside, like Rudolf and his friends? How many have been quietly and not-so-quietly dismissed by people; told they can’t play reindeer games because they are too weird; excluded from the benefits of society because they didn’t follow the ‘rules’ correctly; left to fend for themselves because they are different and make things awkward?
Joseph considered doing what society says is right and good to protect himself from the awkwardness of the situation. He even considers what is best for Mary in the process. Then an angel of the Lord appears to him in a dream to change his mind: But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.’
For the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins. Notice the explanation shows that the awkwardness of this situation is actually a gift! The angel shows the value of being part of this story. Like the red nose that will light the way for Santa Claus, the child carried by Mary will light the way for the world to better know and have a relationship with God! The child is a gift that will go down in history!
What happens when we acknowledge that there are gifts among those society would have us quietly dismiss? What happens when we realise that the outcasts are special? What happens when we see difference and awkwardness as something to be valued, a way to provide something that, perhaps, we didn’t even realise we needed? What gifts have we discovered when we choose to embrace those whom others quietly and not-so-quietly dismiss? How much richer is our community because we seek to welcome and include the many and diverse unique individuals in our community?
For the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins. In Jesus we are reminded that awkward situations are blessings when we open our hearts to see differently, to recognise what is possible. Stories like that of Rudolf, the red nose reindeer remind us of this truth too. As we know the blessings of friends who are different, may we continually seek to find the gifts and grace of every situation and every person. This we pray as we sing together: (VT) 715 Longing for Light