The Obscurity of The Nativity

In contemplating the revelation of God in the story of the Nativity, a profound sense of obscurity emerges in God's choice to reveal Himself to shepherds in a humble field. The unconventional nature of God’s divine revelation prompts our reflection on God's consistent preference for the ordinary and marginalized throughout history. Notable figures such as Elizabeth, Zachariah, Mary, Joseph, David, Moses, and in our own time, Teresa of Calcutta bear witness to this divine inclination of God to seek out the obscure and often forgotten in our society. 

We cannot overlook the oddity of it.

The question naturally arises: Why does God, the omnipotent and transcendent, gravitate towards the obscure and ordinary? And what can I learn from it?
 
You and I have a natural tendency to choose certain types of friends. Just as individuals have personal preferences in friendships, it seems that God, too, exhibits a distinct personality and preference when He interacts with humanity.

God's apparent default personality, intriguingly, is obscurity. Much like humans have inherent tendencies shaping their personalities, it can be inferred that God, in His divine nature, is inclined towards obscurity. We sometimes bemoan a troubling situation and quietly wish God would simply make things immediately clear to us. But challenging God's communication style and preference is analogous to someone telling you not to be authentically you. God is obscure by nature; among an infinite number of traits, that's who He is.
  
Consider the wisdom in Jesus' counsel: "Don't seek the best seat at a public event." This humility echoes the profound act of Jesus washing the feet of His disciples. These stories and countless others emphasize the desire God has for us. If we want to be most like God we ought to seek humility and obscurity. The correlation extends to the biblical adage that "the least will be the greatest," highlighting God's consistent attraction to those on the fringes of society.

God's affinity for the marginalized, the ordinary and obscure is deeply rooted in His own character. He, too, exists on the periphery, often overlooked by mainstream society. Jesus was certainly marginalized in His day. 

Becoming one of us in the humble surroundings of Nazareth, among ordinary lives, requires a remarkably confident and self-assured individual to willingly embrace humility and condescend oneself in such a fashion. Only our God could do such a thing.

This choice signifies a unique strength — the ability to possess immense power yet find comfort in obscurity. It is rather odd isn't it?
In a society that places so much value on money, power, and fame it strikes me as odd that God finds delight in obscurity.
It's an odd contradiction. Society does not like the ordinary or the obscure. We seem to say, "Make me anything but don't make me ordinary."

Reflecting on God's comfort in obscurity, a parallel can be drawn to our lives. There are times when we sense that our talents or abilities go unnoticed by those around us. Perhaps a promotion eluded you or life unfolded differently than anticipated. You might feel overlooked, neglected, and feeling as though you are residing in an obscure and marginalized place in your life.

The realization should dawn that, like God, true strength lies not in the spotlight but in the quietude of obscurity.
To follow God's example entails cultivating humility and embracing obscurity. It calls for a paradigm shift, recognizing that greatness, according to God’s standards, is often found in the unassuming corners of life.

The call to comfort in obscurity becomes a transformative journey, echoing God’s own personality preference for the ordinary and the marginalized.

In aligning ourselves with God's default personality, one should seek a path of humility and find comfort in obscurity, mirroring the essence of a God who, despite His omnipotence, loves the simplicity of obscurity.