By the Way: Striking the root

By Shane Hein on December 27, 2025.

Have you ever noticed that whenever a significant societal problem arises, whatever passes for leadership often responds to it by dealing with the symptoms of the problem rather than the actual cause?

It is not at all surprising, really, given that underlying causes are usually messy, complex, costly, and most often require those affected to modify their thinking, attitudes, and choices. Pointing out the harsh truths of the underlying causes of most issues does not get one elected, adored, promoted, or praised.

I wonder if the shepherds believed, upon hearing news of the Christ-child, that this baby would grow into a mighty, powerful, and courageous warrior-king whose whole purpose would be to wipe out all who oppress the people of God: The Roman empire, the Sanhedrin, even some of those among the wealthy who exploit those in their employ, as if these things were actually the root cause of human misery.

If that was he shepherds’ assumption though, that assumption was shattered the moment they laid eyes on the infant nestled in the middle of straw and cloth. It may have even dawned on them in that moment that this was not going to be the typical conquering hero of kingdoms past. Something much deeper and more significant was being revealed to them here this night, and the shepherds could not but help but sense it deep within their own hearts.

The Saviour is not here to deal with all these surface-level symptoms of a world gone completely mad: the violence, the occupations, the brutality, the tyranny, the poverty, the pestilence and the ruthlessness of a people who cares very little about anything except what is best for itself in the moment.

The Saviour, the new-born King of the Jews, is here to deal instead with the heart of the problem, the underlying cause of the human condition. Therefore, rather than to strike at the world with violence, Christ will strike at the human heart with peace, love and grace.

I wish you all a Blessed and Merry Christmas.

Amen.

Rev. Shane Hein is pastor at St. Peter Lutheran Church

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