Luke 2:22-32

“Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation…” vs. 29-30

Those who have the privilege of living for many years sometimes begin to believe that they’ve “seen it all,” that there is nothing new under the sun, and to some extent they are right. There is a certain rhythm to life in this world, and some of us have been able to experience several of the repeating cycles. Simeon was like that, but he had something more, a sense that there was something big remaining to take place, and he longed to live long enough to see it. And according to Luke’s little post-birth story, that moment came when he saw Joseph and Mary enter the temple with their baby boy. Luke tells us that it was a Holy Spirit thing–there was no particular reason for Simeon to pick out this child from the many.  But whatever had happened, whatever he’d seen, Simeon was satisfied–his heart was filled with peace–now he was ready to die! That doesn’t often happen for folks–most of us don’t have that spirit of readiness. But sometimes it still happens! We see a person or hear some news or experience some event, and it is enough. Everything on our bucket list has been checked off, and we’re ready to leave. What a blessing that feeling is! What is truly amazing is that for some it’s a part of everyday living! They’re ready even if they have stuff left to do!

Thought for the Day: What’s left on my bucket list?

Galatians 4:6-7

“And because you are children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, ‘Abba! Father!’” vs. 6

Most people think of faith in personal terms. God is not some amorphous blob, a giant dollop of nothingness, but a being with whom we can have a warm and lasting relationship. And it seems to be most natural for us to think of God as a parent, and more particularly as our Father. Paul says that’s because the Spirit of Jesus, the Son of God, dwells in our hearts, and his Spirit, together with ours, cries to God as Abba or Father. For some that language, as a remnant of a patriarchal societal system, is difficult, and they would rather use some other term to address God in prayer. Some, following the long tradition of goddess worship, have begun to think of God as Mother, and that’s certainly a worthy alternative. Our problem comes from language. It’s almost impossible to find gender neutral descriptions of God that carry any kind of intimacy or closeness. Parent just isn’t a warm substitute for either father or mother. Perhaps it’s best to simply stop worrying about proper usage and use the language of our hearts. Whether that’s Abba or Amma doesn’t make any difference. We are all children of God and it’s proper for our prayers to reflect a high level of intimacy. Remember, it’s our prayer that counts and not the form of address.

Thought for the Day: What’s my heart language for God?

Galatians 4:4-5

“But when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, in order to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as children.” Galatians 4:4-5

Paul tells the Galatians that Jesus had been born in the fullness of time, that all preparations had been made, and all conditions were just as they needed to be. And as we look back at that time, that period in history, he seems to have a point. To put it another way, it was a propitious moment! Not only were the stars aligned as Matthew puts it, but the geopolitical world was ready too. This was the time of the great Pax Romana, and all of Europe, northern Africa, and Eastern Asia was experiencing the peace that comes with strong autocratic rule. Good roads stretched from one end of the Empire to the other, shipping and commerce were booming, and travel had become relatively safe. In the cities nearly everyone understood Greek and people were eager to explore new and exotic religions. In other words, there was no better time, before or since, for the rapid spread of the gospel. The world was ready for the Jesus story! We know what that is like–many can share stories of how the gospel entered their hearts, how the Spirit seemed to know the exact moment of vulnerability, and when they heard, they were ready to receive and believe. It was their fullness of time.

Thought for the Day: What was the fullness of time for me?

Psalm 148

“Praise the Lord from the earth, you sea monsters and all deeps, Mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars! Wild animals and all cattle, creeping things and flying birds! Young men and women alike, old and young together!” vss. 7, 9, 10, 12

The psalmist believed that everything in the universe had its origin in God and was of God, and that all things, whether in the heavens or on earth, offered praise to the Lord in its own peculiar way. And those who are alert to the nuances of the creation can see the truth in his convictions. All around us praise offerings can be seen and appreciated: from the play of kittens, to the beauty of an orchid, to the rich red Christmastide beauty of the bougainvilleas. From the animate and the inanimate we see and hear the glories offered to the One who is all in all. Only among humans do we see a reticence to offer praise to the Lord for the wonder of life. Only among men and women do we see acts of pointless destruction and disdain for the environment. But not all are afflicted with that shortsightedness.  Some among us do see, and are filled with awe at the great gifts bestowed by our Creator. Each day they see the glory of God made manifest in the world around them. And everyday their hearts are filled with joy at the great gift of being alive! And they gladly sing with the mountains and valleys, “Praise God from whom all blessings flow.”

Thought for the Day: For what will I praise the Lord today?

Isaiah 61:10-62:3

“For as the earth brings forth its shoots, and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring up, so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring up before all the nations.” vs. 11

As one year yields to the grim reaper and another eagerly awaits its birth, there is a natural tendency to reflect and predict. We look at the year gone by, consider its triumphs and tragedies, and then make our best guess at what the new year will bring. It’s relatively easy to measure the past, though in these times of lies and deception we can’t always know the truth of what has happened, but we have a dickens of a time with the future. This year, as 2023 winds down and 2024 dawns, people are having a hard time being optimistic. Not only is it an election year, the wars around the world are continuing to bring death and devastation to millions. Nations are unwilling to make the hard choices needed to slow global warming. Refugees number in the tens of millions. The future really does look dismal! But Isaiah, writing thousands of years ago in a time of great anguish, invites us to take another look. He says that God will cause righteousness and peace to spring up before all the nations–and that it’s inevitable! That’s an amazing promise, one that we’d be well advised to hang on to as the new year dawns. The bad stuff doesn’t triumph!!!! Good will prevail!!! 

Thought for the Day: Why are folks so negative about the future?

Isaiah 61:10-62:3

“For as the earth brings forth its shoots, and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring up, so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring up before all the nations.” vs. 11

As one year yields to the grim reaper and another eagerly awaits its birth, there is a natural tendency to reflect and predict. We look at the year gone by, consider its triumphs and tragedies, and then make our best guess at what the new year will bring. It’s relatively easy to measure the past, though in these times of lies and deception we can’t always know the truth of what has happened, but we have a dickens of a time with the future. This year, as 2023 winds down and 2024 dawns, people are having a hard time being optimistic. Not only is it an election year, the wars around the world are continuing to bring death and devastation to millions. Nations are unwilling to make the hard choices needed to slow global warming. Refugees number in the tens of millions. The future really does look dismal! But Isaiah, writing thousands of years ago in a time of great anguish, invites us to take another look. He says that God will cause righteousness and peace to spring up before all the nations–and that it’s inevitable! That’s an amazing promise, one that we’d be well advised to hang on to as the new year dawns. The bad stuff doesn’t triumph!!!! Good will prevail!!! 

Thought for the Day: Why are folks so negative about the future?

Luke 2:8-20

“and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart.” vss. 18-19

As Luke tells the story, when the shepherds arrived at the manger and shared their tale of shining glory and herald angels they caused quite a stir. Evidently the birth had attracted notice–which makes sense–there’s going to be some hustle and bustle when a child is born. Passersby hearing Mary’s laboring cries would have taken note and perhaps offered assistance. But whoever it was who had gathered at the manger, the shepherds amazed them all. And it’s unlikely anyone believed them–shepherds were not known for their integrity. So when they left it’s likely that everyone dismissed their story as an idle tale. But not Mary! She had inside information! For her the words of the shepherd fit perfectly with her experience of the Annunciation. Something big was happening with this child, and all she could do was wonder what was waiting down the road. That’s an interesting place to be, and it’s where a lot of us are right now. Christmas is here! Now what? Some are hoping that 2024 will be a better year–others are dreading what the future might hold. None of us can know for sure, and so with Mary we ponder–and hope against hope that it’s going to be amazing! We do know that we’re not alone! The baby has been born. Jesus has arrived. And in his presence, whatever happens, we’re going to be okay!

Thought for the Day: What am I pondering today?

Luke 2:1-14

“But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord.’” vss. 10-11

It has been widely reported that the leaders of the Christian churches in Bethlehem, in order to demonstrate their solidarity with the suffering Palestinians of Gaza, have canceled Christmas. There will be no marching bands, or holiday decorations, or Santa Clauses in the streets. Shopkeepers who are totally dependent on the tourist trade at this time of year have shuttered their places of business. Christmas Lutheran Church has replaced its manger scene with a pile of rubble. There is great fear and apprehension in the hearts of the people. But it is not true to say that these Christian Palestinians have canceled Christmas. They’ll be gathering for worship tonight, not with the usual glitz and glamor, but with heartfelt hymns and fervent prayers. They’ll be demonstrating their conviction that the words of “O Little Town of Bethlehem” are true. “Yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting light, the hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.” Seldom has the contrast between the goodness and the brokenness of our world been made more vivid than in the streets of Bethlehem. Our only hope is the child in the manger, and not the bombings and senseless killings, and that will be the focus of worship in the churches of Bethlehem tonight.

Thought for the Day: What is my Christmas prayer?

Luke 1:34-38

“Then Mary said, ‘Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.’ Then the angel departed from her.” vs. 38

Mary has come to be revered for many different reasons all around the world. For the Easter Orthodox she is the Theotokos or Mother of God. For some Roman Catholics she is Co-Redemptrix, the redeemer together with Christ of all peoples. For the indigenous people of South America she is Pachamama or Earth Goddess, the mother of all living things. To put it plainly, she has an amazing fan club! No wonder millions of believers are regularly reciting their Hail Marys and offering prayers to her on a daily basis. And even if we haven’t begun thinking of her in divine terms, we can’t help but be drawn to admire her complete submission to the word of the Lord. Even though she didn’t understand her commission she gave her whole future into the hands of God. She would be a simple servant and trust that the Spirit of God would guide and direct her. What a gift it is in this confusing and increasingly complex world to have that kind of faith! We don’t have to know every twist and turn of our life’s journey before we start out. That would actually take the fun out of it. But with faith we can walk with confidence every day. And then, far down the road, we can stop, look back, and say, “Wow, what a life! Thank you, Holy Spirit, for an amazing adventure!”

Thought for the Day: What surprises have I had on my journey?

Please note, the December 26 meditation was just published due to writer fatigue. Disregard it please. It’s inappropriate for today.