Luke 2:48-52

“He said to them, ‘Why were you searching for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?’” vs. 49

It appears that parenting Jesus was a challenge for Mary and Joseph. They had every right to be upset with him. He had deliberately stayed behind in Jerusalem when the group from Nazareth had begun their journey home. There’s no mention that he said a word to anyone…and then, after two days of presumably frenzied searching, he shows no sign of remorse. Instead his response to his mother communicates the kind of insolence that makes every parent bristle. In his youthful impudence he implies that the whole misunderstanding was their fault. Parents are familiar with scenes like this. It seems every child goes through a period when they are completely oblivious to anyone’s needs but their own. It never dawns on them that their parents might have feelings too. It would seem that this is a natural part of the maturing process and that every child will have a time when their focus is on self. Mary and Joseph were undoubtedly hurt…some of us know what that’s like. Luke says they didn’t understand his rationalization and ultimately they all just went home. Nothing is said of Jesus’ teenage years, only that he increased in wisdom and in years. We do know that ultimately he got over himself and devoted his life to serving and loving. We only hope that our own children will do the same!

Thought for the Day: How would you have dealt with Jesus?

Luke 2:41-47

“After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.” vs. 46

Among his sources Luke found a story about the 12 year old Jesus that has become one of the best known passages in his gospel. It describes the aftermath of a family trip to Jerusalem for the Passover. Mary and Joseph somehow lost track of him on the return journey (something most parents of pre-teens can identify with), and subsequently discovered him in the temple sitting among the teachers. Our attention is often drawn to the comment that the boy Jesus was saying things that amazed his elders, but of more significance is Luke’s observation that Jesus didn’t know everything as a kid. He didn’t have all the answers. Indeed, just like all the rest of us, he had to learn…and he learned by listening and asking questions. That’s important for us to remember as we join in the bible studies and classes in our congregations. For some reason our churches are full of folks who delight in giving answers and showing off their knowledge, something that’s off-putting and intimidating to those who are there to learn. If we’re in a study group and there are things we don’t understand, questions are perfectly acceptable. After all, if that style of learning was good enough for Jesus it should be good enough for us too. Wise teachers know that good questions are always more valuable than easy answers.

Thought for the Day: When has my lack of biblical knowledge been intimidating?

Colossians 3:12-17

“As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.” vs. 12

Imagine what an impact Christianity could have had on the world if God’s chosen ones had actually sought to clothe themselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Suppose these had been our identifying marks rather than doctrines about the nature of Christ or a proper understanding of the Trinity? Of course such speculation is fruitless. Christianity became a religion instead of remaining a movement. Followers of Jesus began to pay more attention to what they believed than to how they behaved. And as they moved even further from the Way they began to clothe themselves with armor instead of love. Soon Christians were killing one another with delight and found glory in massacres and mayhem. It’s a sorry history…it’s no wonder we’re held in such contempt by so many. Of course not all have wandered from the Way of Jesus. We can be grateful for those who have continued to act with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. In them the Christ has survived…and it may be that in these latter days they will prosper and flourish. The world has had enough of doctrinal disputes and petty denominational wars. The least and the lost are hungry for our attention and yearning to be fed. We are indeed God’s chosen ones and like Jesus we’ve been called to proclaim good news to the poor and release to those who are held captive.

Thought for the Day: What’s the difference between a religion and a movement?

Psalm 148

“Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise him in the heights! Praise the Lord from the earth, you sea monsters and all deeps, fire and hail, snow and frost, stormy wind fulfilling his command!” vss. 1, 7-8

The psalmist is so in love with God and the wonders of creation that he offers a song of praise and thanksgiving that encompasses all of existence. And more than that, he insists that everything in the heavens and on the earth will be more than eager to join in the hymn. And he’s right! We do live in a spectacular universe and its beauty deserves our attention and admiration. Who could even imagine a finer place to live out our days! The endless variety of plants and animals! The amazing sequence of the seasons, each with its particular glory and delight! The stars and planets of the night, the comforting dawns and fiery sunsets! In every moment of every day we are bound to give thanks for the grace of existence and the privilege of being alive. How sad it is when the routines and burdens of our lives make us blind to the glories all around! As this year comes to a close and the calendar gives us pause to reflect perhaps we can find time to join the psalmist in his paean of thanksgiving to the Lord. As Herbert Brokering so wonderfully wrote, “Earth and all stars! Loud rushing planets! Sing to the Lord a new song!…I too will praise him with a new song!”

Thought for the Day: What’s filling my heart with praise today?

1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26

“Now the boy Samuel continued to grow both in stature and in favor with the Lord and with the people.” vs. 26

In the early days of Israel, before there was even a king, the priesthood under Eli was enormously corrupt. According the ancient stories the priests, led by Eli’s sons, regularly profaned the sacrificial offerings. But at the height of the corruption a woman named Hannah had brought her only son, the one for whom she’d prayed with all her heart, and left him with Eli at Shiloh as a thank-offering to God. She then returned each year with a new little robe for her child…it’s a beautiful story of a mother’s sacrificial love. That little boy, Samuel, grew to maturity and became the first of the long line of prophets who were the salvation of Israel. It’s very likely Luke was thinking of him when, in describing the childhood of Jesus, he wrote, “And Jesus increased in wisdom and in years, and in divine and human favor.” It’s a reminder that the manifestation of God’s love in our world often begins with the birth of a child. We see those children in our worship services. They’re brought in the arms of loving parents and dedicated to the Lord’s work…and they grow up so quickly. Nurtured by love, touched by the Spirit, before our eyes they become adults…and more than that, it’s in them that we see hope for humanity. And all of us are blessed by their presence.

Thought for the Day: Children I know who bring hope to my heart.

Luke 2:8-20

“When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.’” vs. 15

The shepherds in Luke’s story could have been content with hearing the good news from the angels and then going back to sleep. Instead Luke reports that they decided to go into Bethlehem and see the thing that had been made known to them. Last night and this morning worshippers all over the world have heard that same good news, and for many that experience will have been enough. “We’ve heard the good news,” they think to themselves, “and now it’s back to the routine.” It’s an understandable reaction, but hearing is only the first step on what could be the journey of a lifetime. It’s in the “going” that we experience the glory and grace of the new life that is ours in Christ Jesus. Christmas calls us to go with the gospel and transform the lives of hurting people with unselfish deeds of love and affection. St. Francis, who is widely credited with staging the first Nativity scene in 1223, prayed, “Lord, make me an instrument of your peace…where there is hatred let me sow love…” St Francis got it! He knew that there was more to Christmas than hearing the story. Like the shepherds he went with the gospel and in the process changed the world!

Thought with the Day: How can I change the world?

Luke 2:1-14

“Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David.” vs. 4

When Luke decided to put together his account of Jesus’ life he must have been thrilled to find this little story of the birth in Bethlehem. It really was the missing link, the piece of evidence that linked Jesus of Nazareth to the messianic promise of old. Jesus had come from the house and family of the great king, David, and this was the story that proved it. But it was Luke’s masterful crafting of the story that gave it global appeal. He tells it so well: a poor couple’s journey to Bethlehem, a humble birth in a manger, shepherds watching their sheep, and then, capping it off, a chorus of angels! Year after year believers and non-believers come together by the millions to hear it read and sing the angels’ songs. Again and again we’re reminded that the Savior of the world was born in a humble stable in an obscure town and that working shepherds were the first to glimpse his glory. It’s a simple story that cuts across nationalistic boundaries and economic divides to provide a message of light in a world that battles darkness. As we hear the familiar words tonight we’ll be reminded of God’s love and receive the gift of hope. The Lord has come! Let heaven and nature sing!

Thought for the Day: What part of the Christmas story touches my heart?

Luke 1:43-45

“And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me?” vs. 43

Elizabeth’s reaction to Mary’s visit reveals a genuine humility that is often lacking in an age of entitlement. She had been privileged by God and it blew her mind. She was an ordinary woman with no claim to fame or glory and she didn’t deserve the honor that had come to her. There have continued to be moments like this in the lives of the faithful through the years. Most believers aren’t what might be called “spiritual giants.” They’ve done nothing to capture public attention but instead live out their lives in relative obscurity. But every once in a while they are visited by the Spirit of God in a way that blows their minds. It might be a brief encounter with another person or a quiet interlude in the course of a routine day, but in that instant their soul is filled with unmistakable joy. And then they wonder what they did to deserve the experience. Of course there isn’t anything special that they have done…it’s just something that happens in the course of a faithful humble life. God comes to visit and we are lifted up. The neat thing is that the visits are spontaneous and unprogrammed. They come when we least expect them and they never fail to lift our spirits. They are a vivid reminder that the meek and the humble are close to the heart of God.

Thought for the Day: A time when I’ve been surprised by the Spirit.

Luke 1:39-42

“And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed with a loud cry, ‘Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.’” vss. 41b-42

The scriptures report that Mary, though initially concerned about her son’s mission, became closely associated with his disciples after his death and resurrection. It even seems that by the time Luke wrote his gospel some had begun to recognize her special status among believers. As the centuries passed and stories of her immaculate conception gained official status people began to believe that she could be counted on to pray for sinners in the hour of their death. In our time many have learned to regularly pray “Hail Mary’s” as a special mantra along with their “Our Father’s.” While such practices are not for everyone they should not be disparaged. In fact they provide a powerful corrective to the notion that God has exclusively masculine attributes. Some even say that paying attention to Mary opens the way to an appreciation to of the feminine side of God. It’s certainly true that millions of Christians have found comfort and hope as they’ve turned to her in time of need. Elizabeth was right…Mary is blessed among women…and all of us have been blessed in our relationship with her son. And what would our Christmas celebration be like without the woman in blue sitting at the center of every manger scene? Jesus was fully human! He had a mother…and she deserves our recognition.

Thought for the Day: Why do some say that Mary was without sin?

Hebrews 10:7-10

“And it is by God’s will that we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” vs. 10

There aren’t many people who even care that much about the arguments put forward by the writer of Hebrews. From their perspective all this talk about sanctification and sacrifice is speculative and boring and has little to do with life in the 21st century. And they have a point! The only people who show much interest in atonement theories are theologians and a few pastors still caught up in seminary-speak. Yet at one time these conversations were crucial…we probably wouldn’t even know about Jesus if folks hadn’t hammered out these ideas in the first century. They knew about the resurrection but they struggled to put it into words. After a time they began to understand what had happened in Jesus as a turning point in history, and came up with some important teachings. In their estimation sanctification was the best news ever…it means we don’t have to purify ourselves and we don’t have to try to be perfect. In fact, it’s impossible to be righteous! But God keeps on loving and makes it possible for us to live as holy people! This is an important truth, one worth hanging on to, and even if we don’t follow the philosophical arguments very well, it does feel good to know that God’s grace is never conditional or dependent on our own worthiness. In Christ our salvation is secure!

Thought for the Day: What does holiness feel like?