It was the Christmas season and thus the time for the local elementary school to present its annual Christmas play. One little girl named Caitlin invited her parents to come to the performance. She told them, “Mom and Dad, please come to the play for I have the most important role in the entire production.” Of course, Caitlin’s parents were more than happy to accept their daughter’s invitation to attend the event.
On the night of the performance the school auditorium was filled with family, friends, and other well-wishers who looked forward to the annual Christmas play. As the curtain was drawn back from the stage the audience initially beheld Joseph leading a donkey across the stage, with Mary astride. The narrator told the story of how Caesar Augustus had ordered a census of the whole world, and it was necessary for Joseph to travel with Mary, his pregnant wife, to Bethlehem to register. Upon their arrival the couple looked for a place to stay but could find no room in the local inn.
As the play continued, Caitlin’s parents wondered where their daughter was. Based on what she had said, they were sure that she would have the role of Mary or one of the shepherds, but so far she had not been present on stage. Then the narrator spoke of the birth of Jesus and with this a brilliant star arose over the stable to mark the spot of Jesus’ birth. Caitlin was carrying the star above her head. Wherever Mary went with Jesus in her arms, Caitlin followed behind; the star never left Jesus.
When the play concluded all in attendance and the participants gathered in the cafeteria for a celebration of cookies, cake, and beverages. Caitlin asked her parents, “Did you enjoy the play?”
Her parents responded, “We loved it; it was great!”
Her father continued, “Caitlin you told us that you had one of the leading roles but we noticed that you carried the star. We thought you might be Mary or possibly one of the shepherds or magi.”
Caitlin responded, “I had the most important role. It was my task as the star to lead others to Jesus. There could not be any more important task and privilege in the entire world.”
In many ways the average person might see Caitlin’s role in the play as secondary, even of little importance. Yet, she insisted her role was not only essential, but the most significant, because she had responsibility of leading others to the Lord. As the world today welcomes the newborn king of the Jews, we must realize that while we bask in the glory of God made man, God chose to become human like us in all things but sin. We, as Christians, bear a significant responsibility. The Pauline author of the letter to Titus tells us that we must do our part by leading upstanding lives, to be an example, and thereby lead others to Christ. It is a responsibility we must not fail to engage, to be the best person our abilities will allow us to be.
The letter to Titus, along with 1 and 2 Timothy comprising the so-called Pastoral Epistles, form a unique part of the New Testament. Biblical experts are uncertain as to the authorship of these letters, but, as with the letter to the Hebrews, differences in language and theology lead many exegetes to doubt authentic Pauline authorship. However, the message of the letter to Titus, as we just heard proclaimed, is highly significant.
The central missive of the passage tells us that the grace of God has appeared bringing salvation to all people. We know that the Christmas story is central to God’s plan of salvation history. From the time God called Abraham, through the formation of the Israelite people, the great exodus, the periods of the two kingdoms of Israel and Judah and the prophets, and even the infamous Babylonian exile, God continued to provide evidence to the fact that a plan was in progress to bring God’s people the gift of eternal life. Jesus’ arrival in history begins the process that leads to his salvific death and resurrection.
The Pauline author of Titus says that while we await the manifestation of God’s glory, to be made present upon Jesus’ return, we have several significant responsibilities. We are initially called to renewal and to cast out worldly passions. The message of Christ must have a significant bearing on our lives. We must demonstrate in our lives of faith that the message of Christ has made a difference. Worldly passions are an everyday enticement. The allure of the created world is strong. Since the attraction of the world is so strong and pervasive, we must overtly choose to take another route.
This new path requires us to be countercultural, to place value on things of God and faith over the materialism of the world. People will think us odd, even foolish in our rejection of what the majority of our first-world society considers indispensable, yet this is precisely what being countercultural means. We must be a sign in an alienated world of a value system that is contrary to that of the world. Such a stance will require courage because the rewards that are so readily apparent and tangible for those who choose the world are hidden and latent for the Christian who chooses to shun worldly ties. Yet, our faith teaches us of the necessity of holding fast. Saint Paul puts it powerfully and beautifully in 1 Corinthians 2:9: “No eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the human heart conceived, what God has prepared for those who love him.”
As Caitlin brought others to Christ through her role as the “star” in the play, so we must lead others by the example we set. Paul tells us in the present age, and thus for all ages, we are to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives. In other words we must live lives consistent with our Christian vocation. We are to set an example that others would want to follow. If that life is consistent with Christ’s message then we become a beacon of light, like the star, which draws others to Christ. We, like those who felt Caitlin’s role was minimal, might think that setting an example is a rather passive and small role in God’s plan, but nothing could be farther from the truth.
Jesus came into our world, as we celebrate today, to bring light, hope, and to show us how to lead our lives in a way that is pleasing to God. He came to fulfill and complete the law, initiated on Mount Sinai with Moses. Christ did his share, but the work was only initiated during his life. We, his followers, have the privilege and responsibility to continue his work in our world.
Jesus is the light who comes to dispel the darkness. We must carry the light in a proactive way. We must be willing to take some risks in providing the light to others. We cannot abdicate this serious responsibility nor think we are not qualified to be Christ’s representatives in our world. We must avoid the hesitation and reticence that, if we are not careful, can creep into our lives.
A little story illustrates this challenge. Three wise men were encouraged to find and explore what many called the cave of wisdom and life. They made careful preparations for what would be a challenging and arduous journey. When they reached the cave, they noted a guard stood at the entrance. They were not permitted to enter the cave until they had spoken with the guard. He had only one question for them, and he demanded that they answer only after talking it over amongst themselves. He assured them they would have a good guide to lead them through the regions of the cave. His question was a simple one, “How far into the cave of wisdom and life do you wish to go?”
The three travelers discussed the matter and then returned to the guard saying that they only wanted to go a very short distance, only so far as to say that they had been there. The response of the guard manifested great disappointment as he summoned someone to lead the three seekers a short distance into the cave and then watched them set out again after a very short time.
The three travelers were hesitant and were not willing to risk in order to find wisdom and knowledge. I am sure that Jesus will be equally disappointed in us, as was the guard of the cave, if we refuse to move forward and to use the talent, time, energy, and opportunities we have been given to bring the Lord’s message to the world.
The Advent season, a period of patient expectation, has ended and today we welcome Jesus, the light, the Prince of Peace, and our source of salvation. As we rejoice in the Incarnation and the great privileges initiated for us who bear the name of Christian, we must always be mindful that responsibility is an essential element of the Christian life. The letter to Titus today suggests our need to be countercultural, to move away from the teachings of the world’s passions, materialism, and self-autonomy, which twenty-first-century America tells us is normative, and seek instead an attitude of community and greater simplicity of life.
Additionally, we are challenged to exercise self-control and to live upright lives according to the message that Jesus proclaimed. In other words, we are called to be good examples, to be the light of Christ to others. Our words, actions, and attitudes should bring people closer to Christ. It is an awesome and extremely important responsibility. As we celebrate the arrival of the light that no darkness can overcome, let us be the light to others. May the miracle of the Incarnation, God made man, transform our lives forever! Amen.