"LIFE IN BETHLEHEM"

December 29, 2009

Luke 2:1a: "After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod ..."


We don't know a great deal about what life was like for Mary and Joseph and their newborn baby in Bethlehem. They were undoubtedly very busy. The feast days of the Church and the Biblical account of events are not in chronological order. A proper order would look like this:
• December 24th - arrival in Bethlehem and the birth of Jesus
• December 24th - visit of the shepherds
• January 1st - circumcision of Jesus on the 8th day
• February 3rd - presentation at the Temple on the 40th day
• Sometime later - arrival of the Wise Men from the East (celebrated on January 6th - the Feast of the Epiphany)
• Sometime later still - Herod's order to slaughter all males two years of age and younger (celebrated on December 28th)
• Flight to Egypt
• Shortly thereafter, the return to Nazareth, for Herod died almost immediately

Mary and Joseph's time in Bethlehem must have left a deep impression on them. They must have been overwhelmed with the shepherd's account of what they had seen and heard from the angels. Jesus' circumcision and the official naming on the eighth day-even if a private affair-would have connected them with the covenant promises first given to Abraham. Jesus' presentation in the temple and the prophetic announcements by Simeon and Anna would have been inspiring. And what about the arrival of the Wise Men from the East and their marvelous gifts? Indeed, what a marvelous time!

And today, the Christ Child is still present in our times of great joy or trying sorrow. He keeps everything in order, touching us with His gentle love and caring presence. In these special Holy Days, He brings joy and meaning to our beloved traditions and rituals.

THE PRAYER: O loving Christ Child, do bless our traditions, our rituals, our gifting, our feasting, and our time with family and friends. Amen.

"MARY'S PURIFICATION"

December 30, 2009

Luke 2:22-24 "When the time of their purification according to the Law of Moses had been completed, Joseph and Mary took Him to the temple to present Him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, "Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord"), and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: "a pair of doves or two young pigeons."


On the 40th day after Jesus birth, Mary and Joseph made the five-mile journey from Bethlehem to Jerusalem. It would be an exciting and special day for these new parents. Their coming to the nearly completed temple would have been stimulating. This was the center of the world for pious Jews. What they have to offer was meager, indicating their poverty. It was a minimum requirement of the Law (Leviticus 12).

They were also there to formally present their infant son back to God in fulfillment of Exodus 13:2-"Consecrate to Me every first-born male. ..." It would call for an offering of five silver shekels, according to the book of Numbers.

With all that had been revealed to them, with all they had already experienced, their hearts must have been full. How was it possible all of these blessings had come to them?

Our hearts may also be full as we spend these Holy Days surrounded by small children or grandchildren. We are not under the same requirements of the Law as were Mary and Joseph. But we have no less commitment to present our children to the Lord, knowing they are gifts of our Lord and entrusted to our care. As the children did their part in a Christmas pageant, our hearts swelled with joy. We know not for sure what lies before them. But we know our Lord is committed to always be with them

THE PRAYER: O heavenly Father, bless all parents as they present their children to You. Keep the children safe and hold them close. Amen.

"SIMEON AND ANNA"

December 31, 2009

Luke 2:25 and 36: "Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout ... There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the Tribe of Asher."


We don't know if Simeon or Anna every traveled to Bethlehem. We do know they regularly entered the temple as they did when Mary and Joseph went there to fulfill the obligations according to the Law for Jesus' presentation and Mary's purification. It was their first trip outside Bethlehem since Jesus' birth. It would not be their last trip to the temple. They and Jesus would return often.

This trip was significant and left a lasting impression on Mary and Joseph. In the temple courts, an old man named Simeon took Jesus in his arms and prayed one of those prayers the Church continues to pray to this very day:

"Sovereign Lord, as You have promised, You now dismiss Your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen Your salvation, which You have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for the glory to Your people Israel." (Luke 2:29-32)

Simeon said more. He prophesied about the significant role Jesus would play in His ministry as Savior of the world. He had barely finished when Anna approached Mary and Joseph. She, too, gave thanks for the birth of Jesus, and spoke of what lay ahead for Him.

It is appropriate on this New Year's Eve that we reflect upon Mary and Joseph's experience in the temple. Simeon's prayer might well be our prayer as we complete year 2009. The prophecies of both Simeon and Anna are the promises of the Christ for us as we anticipate 2010. We, too, have seen the Christ and know He promises to be with us every day with His redeeming love.

THE PRAYER: We are so grateful for the words and witness of Simeon and Anna. May our words and witness reflect such a strong faith and such great confidence. Amen.

"THE RITE OF CIRCUMCISION"

January 01, 2010

Luke 2:21: "On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise him, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived."


Mary and Joseph would have stayed in Bethlehem for this very important rite. On this occasion, two important things occurred. First, the boy was formally named. There was no question about this baby's name; the angel made that clear. His name would be Jesus. It was a strong Biblical name-like Joshua, who led the Children of Israel into the Promised Land. So Jesus, the Greek form of Joshua, would lead all believers into the Promised Land.

Second, through circumcision God communicated the covenant promise of Genesis 12:1-3. Now a covenant is different than a contract. A contract is conditional; a covenant is unconditional. There were four parts to the covenant first given to Abraham and passed on through the rite of circumcision in Genesis 17:

1. God would always be loving, forgiving, renewing, and empowering to those who were part of His covenant.
2. God would always have a place in His heart for those with whom He had a covenant, and when the covenant one didn't need flesh anymore, in the eternities He had prepared for him.
3. God would always surround the one with whom He had a covenant with those who would multiply their joys, divide their sorrows, and lift them in prayer.
4. God would release His blessings through those with whom He had a covenant, so all would be blessed.

On this New Year's Day, consider the covenant God made with you through Holy Baptism. He is committed to be your loving God, who has a place for you, who surrounds you with the communion of saints, and who wishes to release His blessings through you to many others.

THE PRAYER: O precious Jesus, we are so grateful for the covenant our heavenly Father made with You, and through You, with us. Bless our living in the covenant this whole year long! Amen.

"FLIGHT TO EGYPT "

January 02, 2010

Matthew 2:13: "Now when (the wise men) had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. "Get up," he said, "take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.""


Mary and Joseph may well have had plans to stay in Bethlehem for some time. They had become celebrities. The shepherds had wonderful things to say about them; word had gotten round about their reception at the temple; the Wise Men had left them some very nice gifts. This could be their new home!

Then came for Joseph what must have been a nightmare. An angel told him to flee to Egypt as Herod was determined to eliminate any threat to his throne. It would not be an easy sojourn. Even at a brisk pace, it would easily take ten days. We do not know which route they took or where they stayed. It must have been a very unsettling time. What had looked so promising was now ... so uncertain.

However, they knew God's promise their child would indeed be the Savior of all. They knew well God's saving acts when the children of Israel had traveled through this same desert from Egypt to the Promised Land. They were well aware Moses had been an infant in Egypt in a time when the king of Egypt was determined to kill all baby boys born to the Hebrews. They knew these stories of God's deliverance of His people.

There are times when our secure world also gets turned upside down. The memory of God's care for His people and, in particular, His care for this young family, should encourage us as we move into an uncertain future. God is faithful; His love for us is sure.

THE PRAYER: O heavenly Father, we travel into the future with the sure confidence Your love is steadfast and sure. Bless us with great faith and a sure hope. Amen.

"EGYPT"

January 03, 2010

Matthew 2:15b: And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: "Out of Egypt I called my son."


Mary and Joseph's travel itinerary was Nazareth to Bethlehem to Egypt to Nazareth. Did they know the prophecy from Hosea 11:1? It originally referred to an infant Israel and its being called out of Egypt by God. Matthew, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit sees the passage as a reference to Jesus, God's only Son.

Mary and Joseph certainly knew Egypt's significance in the history of God's people. They knew the Genesis and Exodus stories of Joseph's own namesake, Jacob's son, Joseph. They knew about his many-colored garment, his brother's betrayal selling him into slavery. They knew of Joseph's faithfulness in the face of Potiphar's wife's temptations. They knew about his interpreting Pharaoh's dreams. They knew how Jacob and his family arrived in Egypt and how their people prospered and multiplied in Egypt. They knew about the king of Egypt who forgot the blessings the Lord had released through Joseph. They knew.

We don't know how long Mary, Joseph, and their baby were in Egypt. After Herod died, an angel told Joseph in a dream it was safe to return to the land of Israel. Joseph intended to return to Bethlehem, but when he found Herod's son, Archelaus, was ruling there, he decided instead to go to Nazareth (Matthew 2:19-23). Luke reports Jesus "grew and became strong; He was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon Him" (Luke 2:40b).

What a journey for Mary, Joseph, and the baby! This is our Savior. His experience is to journey with us-wherever we go or are. His commitment to be with us is steadfast and sure. It is a good word to remember and to pass on to those whose journey is uncertain and difficult.

THE PRAYER: O Lord, bless all those who are on difficult and dangerous journeys. Bless our journey through life. May our Advent journey end with us safely home. Amen.

"THE WISE MEN"

January 04, 2010

Matthew 2:1: After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the East came to Jerusalem.


Soon we will celebrate Epiphany. The Magi, Wise Men from the East, were among those who came to Bethlehem for Jesus' birth. Scripture simply says they were "magi" or "wise men." The assumption is there were three because of the three gifts, but there may have been more. While probably not kings, they were likely well educated for their time, knowing something about astronomy. Chances are they arrived from east of Jerusalem, but probably not the Far East.

A star's appearance led them to believe a new king had been born among the Hebrews. It wasn't surprising they went to Jerusalem, the capital city. Nor was it surprising to ask at Herod's palace where the king had been born. Surely the king would know and would be proud to introduce them.

Herod's scholars' research cited the prophet Micah's foretelling of a Bethlehem birthplace. The Wise Men were grateful for the help and headed out. If they were puzzled by the king's ignorance as to where the new king was born, we do not know. We do know they were overjoyed when the star continued to guide them and stopped over the place where the young child was.

This powerful expression of devotion by these wise Gentiles also means a great deal to us. We, too, have been led to worship the nativity of our Christ by a rather mysterious combination of events. We, too, have given great attention to what would be an appropriate gift for us to bring to Him. We, too, have experienced the grace of God as made known to us through His Son, Jesus Christ.

THE PRAYER: We are grateful, Lord, for those who were led to worship the Christ Child that first Christmas. We are humbled that we join them in their worship, and are joined by others who have followed us. Amen.

THE GIFTS"

January 05, 2010

Matthew 2:11-12: On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh.


The Wise Men came to Bethlehem with gifts-wonderful gifts. There was gold, a royal gift, appropriate for one who is the King of kings. There was incense, a common tool of priests, indicating his future priesthood. There was myrrh-expensive and used in a variety of ways: perfumes, anointing oil, medicine, and embalming. Jesus would be anointed with perfume; He would be given wine mixed with myrrh while on the cross; He would be buried with spices that included myrrh. The gifts were appropriate.

We come to our Bethlehems bearing gifts. Some are for dear ones to express our love for them. Some will go to our favorite charities so they may do their work of love to the least, the last, and the lost. Some will go to our worshipping communities so they may continue to express God's heart for His people.

But Mary and Joseph came to Bethlehem with the very best gift of all. They came with Jesus, the Christ, the Savior of the world. They came with Him who is both true God and true man. They bring to Bethlehem the Lamb of God who will take away the sin of the world. They bring to Bethlehem One who will be tempted even as we are tempted, but does not sin. They bring to Bethlehem One who will conquer death. They bring to Bethlehem the very best gift of all-the gift of life, peace, forgiveness, and hope. It is the gift that means everything.

THE PRAYER: O heavenly Father, you gave us the best Christmas gift ever. We gladly join with the angels, the shepherds, the Wise Men, and our brothers and sisters around the world to praise and glorify You. Please bless our gifting. Amen.

HI GARY ~ I have a question for ya -- many churches believe that the MAGI or WISEMEN, or KINGS from the East visited the Christ-Child on January 6th (today). You talked about that yesterday; so does that mean that your church believes they came on January 5th?

I was just wondering becuz I am leaving my lights on til tonight for this very reason, as are many other people in our town ...

ROSEBUD although we believe that we don't know the date for sure of the birth and exactly when the wisemen arrived we celebrate the Epiphany on Jan 6th.