In those days...

Luke starts his narrative of John's birth announcement with this phrase: "In the time of Herod king of Judea"; Luke begins his narrative of Jesus' birth with this phrase: "In the days of Caesar Augustus...". It's easy to skip over these little phrases, but they put the whole story in context. Not only was the local ruler of Judea where John was born a corrupt, evil, brilliant king, but the Roman emperor of the whole Mediterranean world was also actively imposing his "peace" program unto every region. There was no relief for the righteous, no hope for the poor, no good coming from these ungodly and greedy rulers. It was into these dark days that John and Jesus were born.

John was born in a village located in the hill country of Judea just outside of Jerusalem; Jesus was born in a different village not far away. Both were born in unique circumstances, both were miraculous in their own way, both attracted lots of attention. Elizabeth was surrounded by friends, family, joy and celebration, Mary was alone with Joseph in the bare stall, rejected by family, spurned by friends, full of determination and wonder.

In those days, giving birth to a son was one of the best blessings God could grant. In those days old women didn't give birth to children, they helped deliver them; in those days young girls did not announce that God had caused her to become pregnant while still a virgin. In those days tradition and ritual and purity and avoidance of shame were paramount to a family - it was gave them some kind of sanity and stability amidst the insane kings and terrible eruptions of violence that swept through the countryside. Ironically, Elizabeth escaped shame by finally giving birth to a son, and Mary entered into great shame by giving birth to her son.

In those days, Jesus was born into shame, he grew up under the shadow of shame, and eventually he would die in shame. But God was at work, using the shame of an "illegitimate birth" and an "unknown father" to set up the world for a daring rescue plan. It was how God was going to set up his unending kingdom (see Gabriel's announcement to Mary), under the nose of a super-paranoid Herod, in the realm of the super-powerful Augustus. I'm sure in those days Joseph thought God's plan was crazy and unpredictable. I'm sure those days are here again.