Tuesday, April 26, 2011

The Birth of Jesus

Luke 2:1-40

This census the passage starts out with. We read about these countings in our earlier readings, how everyone 'by tribe' was counted. This seems to me to be the same thing. So we see why Joseph and Mary had to go to a certain place at this particular time. They would have no way to refuse this summons. Today we'd say "what are you crazy-we're pregnant here-forget it, we'll come later." But not so with Joseph and Mary, they couldn't tell the ruler no. This too is like what God had said, they were not free with this ruler, and it was not a king of Israel that called them, they were again bound to this foreign ruler.

Next we hear about shepherds watching their flocks. This is very likely, we read about these shepherds plenty of times so far. And of course they would watch at night-that's when the wolves or thieves would be out to steal their sheep. What happens when the Angel of the Lord shows up? We could have guessed at this one right? They are afraid. Me, I'm right there with them, this would be a scary unusual occurrence, although as we've been reading it seems to happen regularly. Don't be afraid the angel says. They always say that. I guess if they didn't it would be time to turn and run-like you could get far enough away. (Jonah couldn't.)

These shepherds went to find the family and see the baby. They show up like strangers, but have something to tell them, and it says that everyone who heard it wondered. You know how babies are, they attract people. There must have been people who heard the baby or since it was Joseph's home town people who knew them, so people heard this that the shepherds said. No wonder the shepherds told people. I know I would...can you see it now, 'we were just standing there minding our own business and an angel of the Lord showed up. The angel said not to be afraid but we were pretty nervous anyway.' This passage says the shepherds went back glorifying God and praising him for all they had seen. I am thankful they did. Luke wasn't there so how had he heard? Word must have gotten out.


It says Mary pondered these things in her heart, and that at the end of eight days the baby was circumcised and named Jesus according to what an angel told them before he was conceived in the womb. We read about this happening with John two days ago, but not about this baby, we have some of the narrative missing, it will be good to read about this angel sometime. For now we know that Mary (-or Joseph or both) already had met with angel's and they are doing according to the word that was given them. I am thankful they did.

When the baby is eight days old they bring him to the Temple to make the appropriate sacrifice. They weren't rich, they only had two turtle doves (not rams or bulls or any of the bigger sacrificial animals) and we read that the priest in the Temple was a righteous man who was waiting for the Lord to redeem Israel. This must have been one of those who did walk according to the word of the Lord. He prays out loud and give thanks, saying words that sound a lot like what we read in Isaiah. This Temple wasn't empty, and Anna overheard and had also been waiting for the redemption of the Lord. They both tell everyone who listens about what is happening. I am thankful they did.


And when they had performed everything according to the Law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him.
 
I am thankful for these who do what is in accordance with the law of the Lord, who see the signs and wonders and pass that on to those who come after them. I am thankful they did.
See you tomorrow.
-maggie

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