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	SMALL BUT SIGNIFICANT

The Gospel

LUKE 2:1-7

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole world should be enrolled. This was the first enrollment, when Quirinius was governor of Syria. So all went to be enrolled, each to his own town. And Joseph too went up from Galilee from the town of Nazareth to Judea, to the city of David that is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. While they were there, the time came for her to have her child, and she gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

The Media "The Lord of the Rings--The Fellowship of the Ring"

final session

One of the obvious messages of the movie “The Lord of the Rings—The Fellowship of the Ring” is that small insignificant people can turn out to be immensely important in the whole scheme of life. In this session of the movie, Galadriel, Lady of the Galadhrim, tells the hobbit Frodo that even though he is small and inconsequential in the eyes of those who make war and keep peace, he is still important, and will indeed change the course of the future.

There are some historical problems with the Christmas message as outlined by Luke the evangelist. Caesar Augustus most probably did not conduct a census. There was a census while Quirinius was governor, but it took place only in Judea, not in Galilee where Joseph and Mary were living, and the census took place 10 years after Jesus was born. Why did Luke tell the story the way he did?

Perhaps, Luke wanted to deliberately set up a parallel. As Caesar Augustus was to bring the hope of temporary peace to his empire, so Jesus’ birth was to bring a hope of real peace, true peace forever. In Luke’s mind perhaps was the thought that the smallest person in Caesar Augustus’ world was to accomplish more for the future than the great Caesar himself. Or generalizing Luke’s thought to our Christian history, even the smallest person can change the course of the future.

What was the foundational difference that Jesus made? Indeed, what difference did the hobbit Frodo of "The Lord of the Rings" make? Both were willing to accept the responsibility of what had to be done. They knew what was necessary, and they did it. Applying his example to our modern world, we discover the message of maturity. Everyone of us in our own ways can accomplish things that make our worlds better. We can help others, we can listen to their pains, we can provide opportunities for growth, we can visit those in need. In short, we can accomplish great things in a small way in the worlds in which we function. Our world really can be better, and it can be better because of what we do.

THOUGHT
What are the characteristics of a person who does the "best that he/she can do"?

PRAYER

Good and gracious God, the example of Frodo of "The Lord of the Rings" is the example of the infant Jesus—even though very small in the eyes of the world, he was to accomplish salvation. Help us learn from Jesus' and Frodo's example to better our world. Be with us, we pray.

Questions, comments? Let me know. Email Fr. Mike