The Visit of the Shepherds

Text: Luke 2: 8-21

While Mary and Joseph were sharing the joys of being parents of a little baby boy, they were unaware of events taking place on the hills outside Bethlehem.  A group of shepherds were looking after their sheep as the evening drew to a close. Shepherds belonged to the lower rung of society and often didn’t earn much money.  Sometimes they were referred to as gypsies since they moved from one hillside to another to feed their animals.

On the day in question a few shepherds were warming themselves by a fire engaged in desultory conversations.  They would not have been prepared for the bright light that shone on them from the sky.  No wonder they became afraid!  An angel appeared and asked them not to be afraid.  The angel informed the shepherds that a baby had been born in Bethlehem who was a descendent of King David.  The baby was Christ the Lord!

The shepherd continued being baffled wondering if what had occurred was real.  Did they really see an angel? Or was it an illusion?  The angel calmed them and asked them to go to Bethlehem and see for themselves that an infant dressed in baby clothes was sleeping in a manger.  Immediately following the words of the angel a whole host of angels praising God and wishing Peace on earth appeared in the sky.  These events are recorded to fulfil the prophecy that the coming of the Messiah on earth would be announced first to shepherds.

Once the angels had disappeared the shepherds hurried into the city and found Mary, Joseph and the baby.  The shepherds were overjoyed and shared their experience with the angels with those who were present.  They returned to the hillside and continued watching their sheep praising God and talking about the events of the night.

But Mary sat quietly thinking of all that had transpired, and wondering what it meant and what the future would hold for her son Jesus. The birth of God’s Son was announced first to powerless shepherds and not to the powerful Emperor Augustus who had ordered the census which brought the family to Bethlehem.

Ponder – Powerlessness:

The Magnificat and the announcement to the shepherds spoke of God’s promise to those who were powerless in the world.

Where, amidst all the celebrations of Christmas will you find those who are powerless today?

A Family Celebration – A Contemporary Story

The early morning sun began to fill the bedroom and wake Jill.  She noticed that Daniel was already awake, perhaps at his computer in the study.  She could hear excited whispering and running sounds in the corridor. In a few minutes she heard the exclamations and shouts as the children found their gifts under the Christmas Tree.

Jill was not quite ready to get out of bed and start the day.  Her thoughts wondered to the previous evening when she had taken the children to church with her.  The familiar carols made her smile. The music and the words brought back childhood memories for her, though they had meant nothing to the children.  The youngest was sleepy. The older two were restless.  She knew they couldn’t wait to get back home and wait for Santa!  Jill knew that her mother would be pleased that the Christmas traditions she had grown up with were now a part of her family celebrations.  The BBQ, turkey, salads, Christmas puddings, and bonbons and paper caps – all the trappings of a celebration – was what Christmas meant to her family.   Plus Daniel’s family who came over every year to celebrate with them.

Jill finally got out of bed and headed for the kitchen and her first cup of coffee to start the day. Voices reached her from across the street. Looking out of the window she saw the two children from their neighbour’s house.  They were sitting on the steps and watching her children.  There was no excitement on the faces of the two children as they watched her children unwrapping presents and racing around the house.  The refugee family were new to the neighbourhood.  Jill had been too busy during the past weeks to step in and introduce herself.  She had meant to.  In fact she had wondered a few times if she should invite them to the Christmas meal.  But she hadn’t. It was too late now and she had a great deal to do today.

Jill took her cup of  coffee and walked to the study to wish Daniel a merry Christmas.  

Ponder:

How would you finish this story? 

The Birth of Jesus

Text:  Luke 2: 1-5

Luke’s Gospel is the only one that records the birth of Jesus within the context of a national Census.  It has the birth taking place in a stable in Bethlehem. There are angels and shepherds in the story.  The moment of birth is recorded only in two verses in the Gospel:  2: 6 & 7.  There is more detail relating to the political situation involving the Emperor, than the event of the birth of Jesus.

The Emperor Augustus had given orders for a census in the country.  Every citizen had to be in their own hometown to be counted.  Joseph was a resident of Nazareth.  Mary is not mentioned as a resident of Nazareth.  However the text records that Joseph and a pregnant Mary travelled to Bethlehem which was about 112 kilometres ( 3 days journey) from Nazareth to Bethlehem.  

The journey to Bethlehem was necessary for Jesus to be born in the ancestral town of King David.  This would fulfil the expectation of the prophecies in the Old Testament that the Messiah would be from the town of Bethlehem.    The long journey would have been tiring for Mary.  It is possible that they arrived in a crowded city, overflowing with residents returning for the census.  

Luke’s account doesn’t mention an Inn or Innkeeper. It is probable that the family occupied the ground floor in a house which had the only room available in the crowded city.  Rooms in a ground floor would also house the animals.  When the birth occurred Mary wrapped the baby in bands of cloth, as was customary, and laid him in a manger or a trough containing a bed of hay.  

Ponder – Family: The journey to Bethlehem for Mary who was pregnant and Joseph would have been long and tiring. They had no option, but to make the journey to be registered in the census. 

How do you deal with challenging situations if you have no options?

Elizabeth and Mary

Sunday 20^th December

Text:  Luke 1: 39-56

The writer of Luke’s Gospel skilfully moves the Infancy Narratives from Mary’s conversation with angel Gabriel to a visit between two pregnant women: Mary and Elizabeth.  Two separate story lines now merge as Mary visits her relative Elizabeth.

Mary had been told by Gabriel that her cousin Elizabeth would have a child in her old age.  Three months later Mary hurried to a town in Judea to the home of Zechariah and Elizabeth.  When Elizabeth heard Mary’s voice the baby in her womb moved.  She greeted Mary by recognizing her as “the mother of my Lord” and that she was truly blessed by God.

Mary then sang with joy.  It was a song that is sung in churches today called ‘ The Magnificat.’  The song of praise challenged social, political and economic power. It challenged Roman power, and sent the mighty and the rich away empty.  Her song of joy included those who were oppressed and that they would find justice.  That those who were hungry would be filled with good things.

Mary recognised God’s goodness and God’s promises for a future of Justice and Peace. 

Ponder – Joy: Mary sang of her joy in “God my Saviour” who had lifted her from her low status and blessed her.

What words would describe JOY in your life?

Monday 21^st December

Ponder – Power: Mary’s song challenged the mighty and the powerful in society and religion.

Do you recognise models of power in your church and society?

Tuesday 22^nd December

Ponder – Hunger: Mary sang of God’s care for the hungry and oppressed.

Where do you see hunger or oppression in your neighbourhood or city?

Wednesday 23^rd December

Ponder – Vision: The Magnificat presents a vision for Community and Country.

Do you recognise men and women working together for justice and peace?

Ponder – Vision:  It is two days before Christmas day.  Write a prayer, a poem or a song for our time similar to The Magnificat sung by Mary.  

You may wish to share it with a friend or in your church.

Mary and Joseph

Sunday 13^th December

Text:  Matthew: 1: 18-25

The writer of Matthew’s Gospel  picks up the story.  The writer assumes that the reader is aware of the earlier events: that Mary and Joseph were engaged and that Mary was pregnant.  Although Joseph was aware of Mary’s pregnancy he wasn’t aware that her pregnancy had occurred following Gabriel’s message from God.

The story begins with the claim that Joseph was a descendent of King David’s family.  Having heard the news that Mary was pregnant, Joseph decided to call off the wedding.  Joseph was known as a good man. According to the laws of the land he was officially Mary’s husband.  The news of her pregnancy before they had a physical relationship placed both of them in a difficult position.  If he decided to divorce Mary, as an unwed mother she would have faced the condemnation of society.  Joseph was uneasy with his decision.

While Joseph was asleep an angel came to him in a dream with a message from God. The angel advised him to marry Mary, that the baby she was carrying came from the Holy Spirit.  Joseph continued to be silent. The angel went on to explain that the baby was to be named Jesus and that the child would grow and save people from their sins. That God’s promise would come true. 

Joseph woke up after the angel left. He married Mary.  After the baby was born Joseph named him Jesus although he was not the biological father of the child.  In naming the baby Joseph legally adopted Jesus as his son, making him a descendent in the line of King David.  By doing so Jesus was also placed the historical genealogies recorded in the Gospels.

Ponder:  In this encounter with the angel Mary did not speak.  Joseph listens to the angel in silence and then acts.

What do you suppose they talked about after the angel departed?

Monday 14^th Dec,

Ponder – Good: Joseph was identified as a good man.

What qualities do you recognize in a person you would call ‘ good’?

Tuesday 15^th December

Ponder – Dream: Joseph’s dream conversation with the angel calmed his fear and led him into making a decision. 

Do you have dreams that sometimes help you to make a decision?

Wednesday 16^th December

Ponder – Decision: Joseph’s decision to marry Mary was as a response to God’s message to him.

How often do you pray to God when you are faced with difficult decisions?

Thursday 17^th December

Ponder – Law: As a good law abiding man Joseph acted against the Law when he married a pregnant Mary.

Are there times when you feel caught between human need and the Laws of the land?

Friday 18^th December

Ponder – Silence:  The angel speaks as God’s messenger while Joseph and Mary listen unquestioningly.

Do you find it difficult to stay silent when caught in a situation that you find uncomfortable?

Saturday 19^th December

Decisions – A Contemporary Story

Dave was in shock.  “What do I do?”  He felt frozen. His mind raced with questions. He could hear the voice of his Oncologist and see the face of the nurse standing by. He heard those words again: “I am so sorry. The prognosis is not good.”  Slowly he came down to reality.  He needed to take control of himself.  He needed to make plans.  Mostly he needed to go home to Alice.

Alice and he needed to talk, to make plans for her and their baby she was carrying.  He felt the tears in his eyes as he recalled the day three months ago when they learnt that they were expecting a child. He could hear Alice saying that they needed to get married soon.  “ I don’t want my parents to know. They will never understand.”

In the days that followed Dave wondered what they should do.  Should they get married before people noticed that Alice was pregnant?  Could they afford a larger apartment?  How would he balance his work travel and help with a baby?  

When Alice made the decision that they would have a small wedding with only their families present he hadn’t argued.  He recalled how hard it had been to explain the rush to his family.  Now they knew. And now he had to break the news to all of them that Alice would be left as a single Mum if the Oncologist was right.  Dave was not a church goer, but wondered if he should start praying to God.  His parents were devout Christians who would talk about answered prayer when there was a crisis.  He wondered.

He arrived home and heard Alice calling out from the kitchen.  He replied that he needed a shower.  He stood under the hot shower and realised how cold he felt inside him. He didn’t have the courage to talk with Alice.  To share how out of control he felt as he thought of the future.  Mostly That he would not be around to support and care for her and their child.  He walked towards the kitchen.  He felt numb.   

Ponder:  

Two good people facing unexpected events that could have far reaching consequences for them and their unborn child.

How would you conclude this story?

The Annunciation to Mary.

Sunday 6^th December

Text: Luke 1: 26-38

An Angel named Gabriel  was sent by God with a message for a young woman named Mary who lived in the town of Nazareth in Galilee. Luke refers to Mary as a ‘virgin’.  It was customary to refer to unmarried young women as virgins.  Mary was engaged to a man named Joseph.  It was the custom for a father to arrange a engagement and marriage for a daughter.  The engagement was a legal contract. Should the man die before the wedding the woman would be considered as a widow.

Gabriel greeted Mary with the words “The Lord is with you.  You are truly blessed.”  The words and the unexpected encounter with an angel troubled Mary.  She was confused.  She wondered what the words meant.  Gabriel assured her that God was pleased with her and that she would have a baby named Jesus. Gabriel identified her child as the Son of God.  He would be a king in the line of King David’s family.

Mary continued to be baffled. She reminded Gabriel that she was not married and asked “How can this happen?”  Gabriel responded that the Holy Spirit would come down to her and that she would experience God’s power. The child would be called ‘the Holy Son of God’.

As Mary listened Gabriel gave her the news that her cousin Elizabeth was also going to have a son in three months, though she was old in age.  And that nothing was impossible for God.  The Annunciation  ended as Mary declared that she would accept God’s message and that she would give birth to the Son of God.

Ponder: What would the young Mary have felt as she listened to Gabriel?  Would she have been docile, felt trapped or did she feel challenged?

Monday 7^th December

Ponder – Blessed: Gabriel said to Mary that God had chosen her because she was truly blessed.

What would you understand if someone says that you are truly blessed?

Tuesday 8^th December

Ponder – Obedient: Was Mary being obedient to God or did she feel she had no option?

How would you respond if you were asked to be obedient?  What would you expect from a child when the word is used?

Wednesday   9^th December

Ponder – Choice: Would Mary have felt trapped by God’s request since she was not given a choice?

How do you respond between what you wish for as opposed to what God is placing before you?

Thursday 10^th December

Ponder – Daring: Mary is given a voice in Luke’s Gospel.  She dares to question Gabriel.

 Have you ever dared to challenge God in your prayers?

Friday 11^th December 

Ponder – Faith: Mary believed that all things were possible with God.  Such was her faith.

Is your faith in God the foundation of your Life?

Saturday 12^th December

Faith – A Contemporary  Story

Janet left the auditorium with a sense of achievement.  She’d done it! She had graduated from University and was ready to begin a new journey.  Her parents were waiting for her and so was Ben.  She walked slowly towards them, hugged her mother, smiled with her father and placed her hand in Ben’s.  Neither of her older siblings had come to wish her well.  She hadn’t expected them to come.  She knew that neither of them disliked her – they just took her for granted.  She got into the car and drove off with Ben. 

“Would you like to go for a coffee, Janet?”  Ben asked.  “Would you mind if we skipped it and went down to the lake?” she replied.  “It’s your special day Janet and it is a beautiful evening!”    Ben headed for the Lake.

No words were needed as they walked hand in hand.  They had been friends for years and knew each other well. Soon there would be an official engagement followed by a wedding.  Their parents knew each other and were happy that Ben and Janet were planning to get married.

Returning home Janet quietly slipped into her room and gently closed the door.  Kicking off her shoes she lay on her bed and shut her eyes. ‘ Where to from here?’  she thought.  How and when would she inform her parents that she didn’t want a position in the family Law Firm?   She had never wanted jobs like the ones her older siblings enjoyed.  She was happy for them, but it was not what she wanted.   And then there was Ben.  He took it for granted that she would be working in the family Law Firm till he finished Medical School.

Janet had no clear idea as to when she knew that she wanted to study Theology.  She didn’t see herself as a religious person.  She was not actively involved with the church. She was not a regular worshipper either.  But somewhere deep within her she recalled being about 8 years old when she said to the Minister of her church that one day she would be a ‘Reverend’ like her.   As years passed the thought had surfaced from time to time.  She had never shared it with her parents or with any of the Ministers who followed.  She just knew that God had planted a seed in her mind years ago.  Now it was time for her to act, to make a decision, to inform her family and Ben that she had sent in her application to enter Theological College.

She was nervous.  Would they support her? She felt fear followed by belief in herself.  Slowly she felt excited that her faith in God would support her in the decision she had made.  She got off her bed and prepared herself for sleep.

Ponder:  

Was Janet responding to a Call from God or was she looking for a way to make her own decisions?

How would you continue this story?