Christmas - Someone we usually overlook - Anna

Someone We Usually Overlook - Anna

In Luke's narrative of Christ's birth, he gives only 3 verses to a little (I imagine her as little - Luke does not say) old (he does tell us she was old - maybe 84, but possibly the text could mean she was 104 or so) woman named Anna.

Anna was a prophetess and had been a widow many years. She spent her time in the Temple, praying and fasting.

She was an insignificant figure. She could have been left out of the story, as Matthew and Mark left her out, and none of the essential facts would have changed.

But when we read about her we see that she was truly an extraordinary person, and probably more than anyone else in the story, she understood what was happening. She recognized the full significance of the amazing birth of that special Child.

She was in the temple when Mary and Joseph brought their first-born Son to be dedicated to God, as directed by the Law.

Look at Luke's words about her:

"...she never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem" (Luke 2:36-38).

What did she understand that others might have missed?

 She knew that that little baby was the promised redeemer of Israel, and she announced His birth to all in Jerusalem, who, like herself, looked for that redemption.

This is all so remarkable. She understood that Jesus came to enter the marketplace (this world) to buy back, redeem, from the bondage of sin, His people. He was the long awaited Messiah.

He was not a zealot or a political leader. He was not going to lead a revolt against the Romans.

He was going to redeem His people from their slavery to sin.

Anna was waiting for this moment to come. Waiting for the One who one day would pay the price of our redemption.

 "Come Thou Long Expected Jesus" was likely her daily morning prayer.

And this is the heart of Christmas -- not the lowly stable, beautiful as it is. Not the shepherds, as inspiring as they are. But the fact of the Incarnation-- Christ entering human history to be the Redeemer.

It's all about John 3:16.

She was not the only one. Luke says there were others "looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem."

And she knew who they were. She knew who to give the good news to.

She apparently got to know people as they came into the temple.She knew their deep spiritual longings. And so she knew who to share her news with.


I picture her: old and tiny, eagerly rushing up to people, perhaps grabbing their hands, whispering in awe-full words, "He has come! He is here - now! Emmanuel."

Did the these faithful Jews discuss the coming of the Messiah often when they came to the temple?  

Did they get discouraged sometimes and think He never would come? Where was the promise of His coming? Did the degrading daily affairs of life in that culture depress them? Did they often pray, as we do, "Even so come quickly!"

In James Montgomery Boice's comments on Anna, he reminds us that the life of Jesus begins and ends with the Great Commission-- Anna, like the shepherds,  goes out and tells people who Christ is -- and at the end of Christ's earthly journey, He tells His disciples to "go into all the world and preach the gospel."

It's all about John 3:16-17.

I want to be like Anna. I want to know people around me who look for His coming! I want to be surrounded by them. I want to share my longing and my impatience with them. Where is the promise of His coming?

And then I want to work with them and spread the message to everyone else...

Yes, I want to be like Anna - open eyes and heart to see God's presence and open mouth to proclaim His glorious message!

Like Anna.


P.S. Wouldn't it be great if we had some sort of special sign or greeting? Like in the Tribulation when the ones who belong to Christ have a special mark?

The Jews had one--sort of a code.  It  was "next year in Jerusalem." That greeting reminded them who they were as a people and what they had to look forward to, no matter how bad the current conditions were, they would greet each other with that. Even in the concentration camps, they often spoke softly to one another, "Next year in Jerusalem." That hope bonded them into one family.

And the Scots had one -- it was a special sign they gave when drinking (and they drink a lot it appears!)...it was passing their hand beneath and over the glass or mug - and it signified that their Bonnie Prince Charlie was hiding in France until he came back to take the throne - he was presently "over the water" (across the English channel) but would return and until then they saluted each other with the words and sign, "over the water."

I think we need a special sign or greeting. Come to think of it, we do. It's "Maranatha!" (The word means "O come, Lord.") It appears the early Christians used that word (as well as a symbol for a fish) to mark themselves as belonging to Christ.

In fact, as I think about it now, we used to do that when I was a teenager...call out "Maranatha!" to our friends - even in Hawaii -- not "aloha" but "Maranatha!"

So, Maranatha!

P.P.S. John 3:16 -- For God so loved the world He gave His only Son, that whosoever believes in Him might have everlasting life.

Are you one of the "whosoevers"? This is a great time of the year
to make that happen.....if you want to, feel free to email me at
gloart2@yahoo.com....

When Does Christmas End?

 

                                                       When Does Christmas End?

Reminding myself of an old Christmas carol/hymn (almost 200 years old) --

"As with gladness men of old, did the guiding star behold; as with joy they hailed its light; leading onward beaming bright. So, most gracious Lord, may we evermore be led to Thee."

That's the first verse.

Reminding me that the Christmas story did not end 2000 years ago -- it continues today as we follow His light that leads us right to Him.

As we say, 'Wise men still seek Him.'

And the last verse is wonderful, too. "Holy Jesus, every day, keep  us in the narrow way. And when earthly things are past, bring our ransomed souls at last, where they need no star to guide, where no clouds Thy glory hides."

Don't you just love this idea? We no longer need a star to guide us now and we won't when our earthly life is over --  We have His Holy Spirit to bring us home to be with Him forever!

We'll see Him in all His glory and bow in worship just as the wise men did.

And we'll thank Him throughout eternity  for Christmas!

              'Twas grace that brought me safe this far, and grace will lead me home!

Christmas - Charles Spurgeon

Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,

 and shall call his name Immanuel.

-- Isaiah 7:14

     Let us today go down to Bethlehem, and in company with wondering shepherds and adoring Magi let us see Him who was born King of the Jews, for we by faith can claim an interest in Him and can sing, "For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given" (Isaiah 9:6).

     Jesus is God incarnate, our Lord and our Savior, and yet our Brother and our Friend; let us adore and admire Him.

     Let us notice at the very first glance His miraculous conception. It was a thing unheard of before, and unparalleled since, that a virgin should conceive and bear a son.

     The first promise [Genesis 3:15] concerned the seed of a woman, not the offspring of a man.

     Since venturesome woman led the way in the sin that resulted in paradise lost, she, and she alone, ushers in the Redeemer of Paradise.

     Let us reverently bow before the holy Child whose innocence restores to manhood its ancient glory; and let us pray that He may be formed in us, the hope the glory.

     Do not fail to note His humble parentage.

     His mother has been described simply a "virgin," not a princess or prophetess, not a woman of influence.

     True, the blood of kings ran in her veins; and her mind was not weak or untaught, for she could sweetly sing a song of praise.

     Yet how humble her position, how poor the man to whom she was engaged, and how miserable the accommodation provided for the newborn King!

     Immanuel -- God with us in our nature, in our sorrow, in our daily work, in our punishment, in our death, and now with us, or rather we with Him, in resurrection, ascension, triumph, and Second Advent splendor.

       -- From Morning and Evening, December 25,
                      Charles Spurgeon

       

Christmas - Joseph the Just (Part 2)

Part 2....


Now the birth of Jesus took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child of the Holy Spirit; and her husband, Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly.
                      -- Matthew 1: 18-19


So we now see (Part 1) that Joseph's definition of justice stemmed from the Old Testament teachings on mercy and compassion.

We see in Matthew 1 that Joseph did not have an initial appearance of the angel messenger, like Mary did. Probably someone else told him Mary was pregnant. The text does not tell us. Maybe a gossipy neighbor told him.  But it is clear that
he decided to do the righteous and just thing first, and then the angel appeared. (Maybe a good message for us there.)

The English translation of Matthew 1:20 says he "considered" the situation. Most scholars say the more accurate meaning of the Greek word used would be that he became "very upset," even "fuming."

Even though he did choose to do the right thing, did that mean he had no feelings at all? Certainly he was embarrassed. Felt betrayed. Angry. There would have been great doubts about his bride-to-be and her merit as a wife and mother of his children.

But one remarkable thing about Joseph is that he was able to still do the "right"--  the "just" -- thing. He could re-process his anger and hurt. He could turn them into grace.

Later when his Son Jesus was grown (and we don't know how long Joseph lived, whether he even saw his Son grown) we can see glimpses of Joseph actions in our Lord's teachings.

Remember the parable of the great banquet when the wealthy generous man was publicly insulted? It's in Luke 14. The
donor decides to re-process his anger into grace, and turned to the unworthy outside the community to invite them to his grand banquet.

And in Matthew 12 Jesus talks about the wealthy farmer who build a vineyard and rents it out to tenants. When he tries to collect the rents the tenants refuse to pay. They insult, beat and finally kill the servants who come to collect the rent. The master decides to turn his anger into grace and send his son, alone and unarmed, hoping they will be ashamed and pay their due.

Did Jesus grow up with this kind of example, of extending mercy, not legal justice, when he watched his earthly father?

Why did Joseph even take Mary with him to Bethlehem to register? Did he fear that she would be shunned or mistreated during his absence? She was also a descendant of David and so was entitled to go.  He could have registered for her, but he chose to take her.

Anyway you look at it, Joseph is a silent hero in this 'only once in history' story of the Incarnation. His courage and understanding of God's over-reaching, eternal message made it possible for there to be a Christmas story at all.

He was able to turn his anger and hurt for himself into grace and mercy for others.

Joseph the Just. Joseph the Noble. Joseph the Kind and Good. Joseph the godly.


[Shakespeare understood justice and mercy. Remember
Portia's cautionary words in The Merchant of Venice?

''(mercy)... is an attribute of God Himself
And earthly power doth then show most likest God's
When mercy seasons justice. Therefore, Jew,
Though justice be thy plea, consider this,
That in the course of justice, none of us
Should see salvation: we do pray for mercy,
And that same prayer doth teach us to render
The deeds of mercy..."

When mercy seasons justice...like God's example...
If we pursue justice none of us would ever see salvation....and that appeal for mercy compels us to extend more deeds of mercy..."Let him who is without sin, cast the first stone," Jesus said.

Was He remembering?

I remember my father saying, every time we took a photo of him, "does it do me justice? No, I don't want justice. I want mercy!"

[I understand that better every year.]

Christmas - Joseph the Just (Part 1)

Now the birth of Jesus took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child of the Holy Spirit; and her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly.
                  --Matthew 1:18-19


    What is justice?

There was a time when these verses unsettled me. Because he was a just man....he was unwilling to put her to shame....I thought being just meant applying the law equally to all  (according to Deuteronomy an unfaithful partner - man and woman - were both to be stoned).  But here we are told Joseph was just.

Is the text talking about another kind of justice? Is there another kind of justice? Apparently, to Joseph it was more than "equal application of the law."

Joseph, being a faithful Jew, would have known many Old Testament passages talking about justice.

He would have known Micah 6:8:  He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

To act justly and love mercy - are they one?

He would have also known Isaiah's songs about a "suffering servant" who would one day appear. One of these hymns is in Isaiah 42:  A bruised reed he will not break, and a dimly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice.

Justice here is not "pay back" and it is not equal distribution of punishment. It is compassion for the weak and exhausted.

Reeds were used in the ancient world as pens. In southern Iraq until recently, they were also used for houses and boats -- that is, if they were not damaged. What could be done with a crushed reed? The only option was to break it and use it for fuel.

(For more on this, see Kenneth Bailey's Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes.)


Wicks were used for illumination. Every home had small clay lamps fueled with olive oil. The wicks for these lamps hung from a spout on the side of the lamp. As the oil ran out, there was danger that the wick might sever through burning and the end fall out of the spout and cause a fire. A small bowl of water was often placed on the floor under the lamp and prevent this kind of accident.

But the servant of God described in Isaiah will not break the damaged reed nor quench the dimly burning wick...he will faithfully bring forth justice.

According the Kenneth Bailey, "Joseph looked beyond the penalties of the law in order to reach out with tenderness to a young woman who was no doubt bruised and exhausted. Perhaps he saw Mary as a 'dimly burning wick.'

"This prophetic definition of justice required a compassionate concern for the weak, the downtrodden and the outcasts in their need.

"...Without that prophetic understanding of justice embedded in Joseph's mind, Jesus would never have been born..

"Joseph is not, therefore, a passive, mute figure. Rather he acts as a strong, thoughtful person whose bold decision at a point of crisis saves the life of the mother and her unborn child."

Joseph was a theologian whose concept of justice grew out of the Old Testament writing, especially those "suffering servant" songs in Isaiah.

Joseph was a "just" man and so he showed mercy and extended grace.

(con't in Part 2)