I think we’ve all wondered at some time about the growing up years of Jesus. I certainly have. I would love to visit with Mary and Joseph and ask a few questions about their life around the Nativity. Consider, for example, "25 Questions for Mary" from Max Lucado's "God Came Near." Some are serious, some a little facetious; each intended to be thought-provoking. My favorite: "Did you ever think, That’s God eating my soup?"
But, before we ask any questions of our own, let’s take a few minutes and focus in on the twelve months leading up to and just following the birth of Jesus: Angelic visitations/dreams, nine months of pregnancy, journey to Bethlehem (while pregnant), the Census, farm animals, smelly shepherds, foreigner magicians, their first Sabbath as parents, eighth day circumcision of Jesus, and then a trip to Jerusalem.
That’s a lot.
The December 27th scripture selections include the passage from Luke 2 where Jesus is presented at the Temple, in Jerusalem, as required by the Law. There, the new little family is met by two old people who have been waiting for God’s deliverance of His people. Apparently, based on the Holy Spirit-infused messaging, they had been waiting for Mary and Joseph‘s little baby.
That’s a lot. Overwhelming, really.
So, my question for Mary and Joseph is a multi-part one: Did your families help out? Did the women offer guidance on motherhood? Did the men offer guidance on fatherhood? Did anyone offer to change diapers? Did anybody step up, step in, and help you shoulder your new roles in life?
Hopefully, someone asked Mary and Joseph that most important question we should always ask new parents ... and, anyone, really: “How can I help?”
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GRAPHIC: Steve Orr via Adobe Spark
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There’s no official gathering, this Friday, of DaySpring’s Lectionary Breakfast. We wish you a very Merry Christmas! You have a choice of three different Christmas readings, this time, along with a group for the first Sunday after Christmas ... Or, you might read one group each day leading up to Sunday. Find links to them all on this table:
- Isaiah 9:2-7
- Psalm 96
- Titus 2:11-14
- Luke 2:1-14, (15-20)
- Isaiah 62:6-12
- Psalm 97
- Titus 3:4-7
- Luke 2:(1-7), 8-20
- Isaiah 52:7-10
- Psalm 98
- Hebrews 1:1-4, (5-12)
- John 1:1-14
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