December 27, 2024 – Third Day of Christmas

“Now every year his parents went to Jerusalem for the festival of the Passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up as usual for the festival. When the festival was ended and they started to return, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it. Assuming that he was in the group of travelers, they went a day’s journey. Then they started to look for him among their relatives and friends. When they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem to search for him. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him they were astonished; and his mother said to him, “Child, why have you treated us like this? Look, your father and I have been searching for you in great anxiety.” He said to them, “Why were you searching for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” But they did not understand what he said to them. Then he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them. His mother treasured all these things in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and in years, and in divine and human favor.” Luke 2:41 – 52

“Joseph and Mary search for Jesus for “three days.” When an early Christian heard the phrase “for three days,” one of their first associations would have been to think about Jesus and the “resurrection.” Jesus had been raised from the dead after “three days.” Virtually every first century Christian would have made this association automatically. Could this then indicate that the story of Joseph and Mary’s search for Jesus should be understood and seen in light of the resurrection story?

Joseph and Mary are searching for Jesus for three days which could indeed be a precursor of Jesus’ followers coming to the tomb three days after his death. In both searches, those who find Jesus meet something they did not expect. His parents find Jesus in the Temple where, he tells them, this is where I should be. And when the women meet “two men in dazzling clothes” outside the tomb, they are told “Why do you look for the living among the dead?” In his early life, Jesus is telling his family that their search for him should begin in G-d’s house.

Today, we believe the same. The search initially begins in G-d’s house, but once found, we learn that Jesus is, in fact, everywhere. We are taught to find him in the presence of believers, in the word, in the sacrament, in the Holy Spirit that blows throughout this world. Jesus is found in the face of suffering, in the homes of the oppressed, in the struggle of poverty, in the cries of the despairing. And, we hope, Jesus is found in the worship centers around the world. We still go to church expecting to meet Jesus – but we do not leave Jesus there. Jesus cannot be shut up in a church, or a box of theological principles, or in our minds.

My friends, there are many people in this world who feel like the parents of Jesus, searching and searching everywhere to find him. They are afraid to go to church to find him, because they think they will find all kinds of other things, like judgment, and persecution, and separation, and fear of outsiders. What they are greeted with is everything but Jesus.

On this third day of Christmas, let us remember that it should not take people three days, three years, or three decades to find Jesus – we should all expect to see Jesus, well, everywhere. When you and I are the hands and feet of Christ, we bear the image of Christ to others – and, hopefully, help others to find Jesus. And when they come into our midst let’s greet them with the love of Christ.

Pastor Dave

December 26, 2024 – Boxing Day

“Praise the Lord! Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty firmament! Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his surpassing greatness! Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp! Praise him with tambourine and dance; praise him with strings and pipe! Praise him with clanging cymbals; praise him with loud clashing cymbals! Let everything that breathes praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!” Psalm 150

Over and over, the Bible invites us to praise G-d, not because G-d needs our praise — but because this is all we can give to G-d: Prayer, Praise and Thanksgiving. The book of the Bible we call the “Psalms” is a book of praise for G-d and provides us many examples of how to praise G-d. During worship, we often sing praises to G-d in song. But praising G-d is not something that necessarily comes naturally to many. I have found that when I put something in G-d’s hands, I am more readily able to praise G-d for whatever the outcome might be.

This is the purpose of Psalm 150 — it reminds us to praise the Lord.

The day after Christmas is known as “Boxing Day” in many countries. The Oxford English Dictionary notes the earliest recognition of this day in Britain in the 1830s, defining it as “the first weekday after Christmas day, observed as a holiday on which postmen, errand boys, and servants of various kinds expect to receive a Christmas box” This custom is linked to an older British tradition where the servants of the wealthy were allowed to visit their families on the day after Christmas since they would have to serve their masters on Christmas Day. The employers would give each servant a box to take home containing gifts, bonuses, and sometimes leftover food.

On this second day of Christmas, let us praise the Lord for all the gifts we have been given – and pray to find ways to share our abundance of gifts with those in need.

Dear Lord,

Thank you for the opportunity to praise you. Thank you for showing us reasons why and ways to praise you. Thank you for helping us understand that our works can be a way to praise you too. Guide us each day in how best to give you thanks and praise, and to share our blessings with others. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Pastor Dave