Day 3- Fri February 19, 2010
Welcome to day three of Lent. One chapter under our belt. Twenty three to go! Today’s text is probably the most familiar verses in all of scripture except for perhaps Psalm 23. You get the point. The Christmas Gospel. Take a good look at Luke 2. Perhaps read it twice to see what pops out at you as “new”. I’ll provide a few comments after the reading and then, I have a few youtube videos as “extra’s”.
TODAYS LESSON-Luke 2: 1-20
2 In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3All went to their own towns to be registered. 4Joseph 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. 5He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. 6While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. 7And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
The Shepherds and the Angels
8 In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for see--I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: 11to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah,a the Lord. 12This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger." 13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host,b praising God and saying, 14 "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!"c 15 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." 16So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. 17When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; 18and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. 19But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. 20The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
Today’s Status Updates
Well, Jesus is finally on the scene. He’s arrived in the form of an infant child- a precious sight. Although he does absolutely nothing in the text today, what stands out is the reaction to the child. There is no doubt that what he brings is a tremendous amount of hope and a tremendous amount of joy. People respond to his presence as they will throughout his life. For he was “the real deal”.
People respond and react postively to Christians who “walk their faith on a daily basis”. Christians can easily get a bad rap for being too judgmental, too critical, too pessimistic, too. . .(you name it). This I can tell you, people will always respond to the “real deal”- to those who humbly do the best they can to model Jesus’ ways- who model lives of generosity, servanthood, and seek to bless others at every opportunity. The people in our lives will respond to our Christian witness when we admit that we make mistakes, that we seek to do better, and we put as a huge priority the willingness to help others without seeking reward.
That baby we see in the manger today is “the real deal” who we seek to follow to the best of our ability. Jesus, “the real deal” always put others first. Let’s pray that you and I can be “the real deal” in a world that really is “pre-Christian”. Many to reach but it will take love and understanding and patience.
Prayer- Jesus, we are so glad you came into this world. You are the “real deal”. You demonstrate the way to live and bid us to “follow the path”. Help us to be the real deal in our generation. Amen.
FRIENDS ADDED TODAY
Unnamed shepherds
The heavenly host—lifelong friends
Sorry- no animals noted
EXTRA’s Just for Fun!
YouTube - Linus Christmas Monologue (Charles Schultz and Peanuts characters—I guess we could call them Friends of Jesus as well!)—brings back your childhood a bit but emphasizes the true meaning of Christmas
YouTube - The Christmas Story in Art, Scripture and Music
YouTube - The Christmas Story - Luke 2:1-20 (from the Nativity Movie)
Welcome to day three of Lent. One chapter under our belt. Twenty three to go! Today’s text is probably the most familiar verses in all of scripture except for perhaps Psalm 23. You get the point. The Christmas Gospel. Take a good look at Luke 2. Perhaps read it twice to see what pops out at you as “new”. I’ll provide a few comments after the reading and then, I have a few youtube videos as “extra’s”.
TODAYS LESSON-Luke 2: 1-20
2 In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3All went to their own towns to be registered. 4Joseph 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. 5He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. 6While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. 7And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
The Shepherds and the Angels
8 In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for see--I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: 11to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah,a the Lord. 12This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger." 13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host,b praising God and saying, 14 "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!"c 15 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." 16So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. 17When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; 18and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. 19But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. 20The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
Today’s Status Updates
Well, Jesus is finally on the scene. He’s arrived in the form of an infant child- a precious sight. Although he does absolutely nothing in the text today, what stands out is the reaction to the child. There is no doubt that what he brings is a tremendous amount of hope and a tremendous amount of joy. People respond to his presence as they will throughout his life. For he was “the real deal”.
People respond and react postively to Christians who “walk their faith on a daily basis”. Christians can easily get a bad rap for being too judgmental, too critical, too pessimistic, too. . .(you name it). This I can tell you, people will always respond to the “real deal”- to those who humbly do the best they can to model Jesus’ ways- who model lives of generosity, servanthood, and seek to bless others at every opportunity. The people in our lives will respond to our Christian witness when we admit that we make mistakes, that we seek to do better, and we put as a huge priority the willingness to help others without seeking reward.
That baby we see in the manger today is “the real deal” who we seek to follow to the best of our ability. Jesus, “the real deal” always put others first. Let’s pray that you and I can be “the real deal” in a world that really is “pre-Christian”. Many to reach but it will take love and understanding and patience.
Prayer- Jesus, we are so glad you came into this world. You are the “real deal”. You demonstrate the way to live and bid us to “follow the path”. Help us to be the real deal in our generation. Amen.
FRIENDS ADDED TODAY
Unnamed shepherds
The heavenly host—lifelong friends
Sorry- no animals noted
EXTRA’s Just for Fun!
YouTube - Linus Christmas Monologue (Charles Schultz and Peanuts characters—I guess we could call them Friends of Jesus as well!)—brings back your childhood a bit but emphasizes the true meaning of Christmas
YouTube - The Christmas Story in Art, Scripture and Music
YouTube - The Christmas Story - Luke 2:1-20 (from the Nativity Movie)
It has always seemed odd to me that Mary and Joseph would have to go all that way just for a census. I can't imagine being that far along and having to travel in such a rustic manner.
ReplyDeleteImagine being outside on a very dark night tending to sheep, which are not real smart, and tend to wander away. Suddenly a bright light shines in the sky, and it's an angel--how very scary for these humble shepherds....until they listened to the message of hope. We, too, could be frightened by the beginning of a message from God to us which comes disguised until we have the faith the follow and listen to the whole message. We need the faith of those early believers.
ReplyDeleteSo - this was the first census/registration of the "world" (aka the Roman Empire). I wonder what the purpose of that first census was? My Biblical geography is pretty spotty - I wonder how far a trip it is from Nazareth to Bethlehem? The opening verses here in Chapter 2 are things that should conjure discomfort and anxiety - a census call, traveling a long distance with a very pregnant wife, crowded condidtions at the end of the journey (e.g., no room at the inn) and yet, because of the hope this story conveys (the "real deal" of Jesus), these to me are some of the most beautiful and calming verses in the Bible. I love reading this story on Christmas Eve.
ReplyDeleteAnne, I believe one of the purposes of the census was to tax!
ReplyDelete