WEEK 4
Dec. 21 Matthew 1:18-25
The Birth of Jesus the Messiah
18 Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 19 Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. 20 But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet:
23 “Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and they shall name him Emmanuel,”
which means, “God is with us.” 24 When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife, 25 but had no marital relations with her until she had borne a son; and he named him Jesus.
COMMENTARY
God asks us to do difficult things at times. Joseph had to swallow his pride and do what was right. And he did. We can do all things with God when our priorities are right. And look at the results when one chooses to follow God. The whole world is saved.
Dec. 22 Luke 2:1-20
The Birth of Jesus
2 In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 All went to their own towns to be registered. 4 Joseph 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. 5 He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. 7 And 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. 9 Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: 11 to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, 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.” 16 So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. 17 When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
COMMENTARY
Jesus’ birth wasn’t heralded by the world. There wasn’t a parade, or fancy feasts, or parties in the castle. Instead Jesus’ birth was heralded by the universe, by angels. His birth was heralded by the most common of persons; shepherds, and the most esteemed; three astronomers/wisemen from the East. Jesus entered the world quietly. But his life loudly proclaimed truth, justice and the way to eternal life for all. As we celebrate Jesus’ birth this week, let’s recommit to living our faith out loud for all to see. Let us honor God with every moment and morsel of our lives.
Dec. 23 Matthew 2:1-2
The Visit of the Wise Men
2 In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, 2 asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.”
Just as the wise men came to pay homage to the baby, let us also be wise and pay homage to the King of humanity. To the King of all that is good and pure and right.
Prayer: Awesome and Loving God, it is at times difficult to accept a gift that is so generous and outstanding. One that makes a difference in my life. I struggle to understand the depth of your love and the generosity of your gift. Give me wisdom. Open my heart. Change my life. In the name of Your Son born so many years ago, I pray. AMEN
Dec. 24 Luke 2:21-35 (Christmas Eve)
Jesus Is Named
21 After eight days had passed, it was time to circumcise the child; and he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
Jesus Is Presented in the Temple
22 When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord”), 24 and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”
25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27 Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, 28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying,
29 “Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace,
according to your word;
30 for my eyes have seen your salvation,
31 which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles
and for glory to your people Israel.”
33 And the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, “This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed 35 so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your own soul too.”
COMMENTARY
From the very first moments of his life, his parents were perplexed by the child placed in their care. Every person who met the child proclaimed him to be special. Something out of the ordinary. Someone worthy of praise. How can we begin to imagine the wonder of these parent’s. The questions they had to have. How will they raise him properly? Will they be able to do enough for this child? There would be challenges.
Simeon blessed the baby Jesus and blessed the parents. And then warned the parents that a sword would pierce their souls. So much love and so much worry.
If you are a parent, you can relate to this scenario. The happiness when your child is born. The sense of responsibility that comes with raising a child. And then knowing that at some time or another, your heart would be pierced by the child.
This child, this special baby, would be like every other child in some ways and yet so very different in others. This baby, God with us, God in the flesh, Emmanuel, would open the eyes of each person to see the truth, to know God and to discover a new way of being.
Each of our hearts are pierced by God’s love when we seek to follow Jesus and to change our ways. Our inner thoughts are reveled when we place God in the center of our being. The baby transforms each of us.
Rejoice!
Rev. Amy Shipley
Bennett’s Corners Community UMC