The following article was submitted by the Public Theology Forum, an ecumenical group of Jamaican ministers and theologians.

This Advent season when we traditionally celebrate the coming of Jesus into the world and the significance of His birth, many are asking the question is there any reason to celebrate? Can we celebrate when each day we hear the news of another life taken by the gun, when we wonder, will violence take yet another life tonight?

We hear the news each day; the murder rate is rising, and of drive-by shooting in Half-Way Tree, a busy thoroughfare. The security forces are reminded of the death of their colleagues and have decided not to have any celebrations, for to rejoice and celebrate would be difficult.

It is Christmas, the Advent season we hear the words "Fear not"; and "I have come that you might have life, and life more abundantly," but we still ask the question: what is there to celebrate, for what are words?

Dare we celebrate when we can only remember the days when chicken meat was cheaper, and the price of one pound of yellow yam was not competing with one pound of chicken? Now we have faint memories of days of physical strength and not falling asleep because we are undernourished and anaemic.

The car breaks down, the mechanic presents the bill. How will it be paid? The financial stalemate and the possible threat to the livelihood of several risk-takers are fears which may temper celebrations and the accumulation of material goods. Then we hear the words "Fear not, I am the bread of life." We remember the words which speak of adequate provisions for life and hear again the command "Fear not." But how is this possible?

Guarding life

Luke 2:8-10 speaks of the shepherds in the fields "keeping watch over their flocks by night". They were in the field concerned not so much with celebrating life, but instead guarding life - the life of their sheep which represented their material wealth - from thieves and wolves. This was their financial security. So they were guarding their property. In this situation of watchfulness and concern for their physical and financial security came the words, "I bring good news of great joy that will be for all people," for the advent of the Christ child will make a difference and give reasons to celebrate words which signalled hope.

These shepherds were ordinary, unassuming people, not kings, not of the ruling class. Rather, persons we would overlook in the daily run of things. Yet, they were entrusted with a powerful message - a word to declare to all, the truth to the nations that would lead to the salvation of lives. They were chosen to receive and transmit the good news. Those who seem ordinary and insignificant to us are special to God. And these ordinary individuals had words which could transform lives for the good.

This Advent season, we are reminded that the ordinary person is special; not because they dress or do not dress a particular way, and not by the things they possess. They are defined by the relationship to God. They are special. This is reason to celebrate.

Backdrop

But the ordinary shepherds by the words entrusted to them can contribute to the saving of the lives of many. The ordinary person has power. Earlier, Luke 1 gave the backdrop, sets the scene, in the two songs of praise, of celebration in the songs of the Magnificat and the Benedictus.

They celebrated the plan of God in Jesus and outlined specific ways by which this salvation will be achieved after identifying the harsh realities facing those in need of salvation: those who are hungry, the poor, those who suffer and face death. In them we hear that the advent of Jesus declared that our conventional belief in power and greatness will be reversed.

They are no longer victims who must quiver in fear. One such power is to declare the truth and to give the information needed which will save life. Perhaps this Advent season, the words of the ordinary citizen may prevent another life from being taken tonight. If silence is negated and the words of truth declared at all levels of the society, then each will have the chance to celebrate life.

The shepherds were in the fields keeping watch over their flocks. They were prepared for most eventualities but the appearance of the angel shocked them. They had plans; strategies which were tried and tested to protect themselves, yet the appearance of the angels frightened them.

They had the system organised with each taking turn watching. Just like some persons in the inner cities who have the shift system in place to protect them from opposing gangs. But they were never fully prepared for the unexpected, that which was beyond the norm.

Our conventional methods are not the only way. The angel's appearance to the shepherds says expect the unexpected, there are possibilities which we have not yet entertained or conceived. This is another cause for celebration, all hope is not gone, another door will, and can, be opened.

The content of the message to the shepherds was to be shared with others so that people every- where can and dare rejoice. May we become shepherds this Advent season and begin to spread other words counter to those of doom, perpetuating fear.

Members of the Public Theology Forum are Ernle Gordon, Roderick Hewitt, Stotrell Lowe, Marjorie Lewis, Richmond Nelson, Garnet Roper, Anna Perkins, Ashley Smith, Burchell Taylor, Karl Johnson, Wayneford McFarlane, Doreen Wynter, and Byron Chambers, coordinator.