"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 2:38)

Have you noticed the Christmas music stopped?  It has been playing since Thanksgiving Day but as of Dec. 26th it hasn't been anywhere that I have heard it.  The 12 days of Christmas started on Dec. 25th and goes through Jan. 5th - Epiphany.  I don't know about you but I still have the various Christmas hymns going through my mind.  I woke up this morning with "What Child is This" going through.  I don't always remember all the verses but it is good to wake up to hymns of praise about Jesus' birth.

The Scriptures today are about praising God for the Messiah's, Jesus', birth.  Especially the reading in Luke.  Anna has waited years to be able to see the Messiah.  We are told she is 84 and has spent her time - "day and night" - in the temple "fasting and praying." (v. 37)  Now she is praising God, thanking God and telling "all" about what she has seen. 

We aren't told if she started singing, or not, but she was praising, thanking and sharing.  As we continue to celebrate Christmas, even if only in our own minds, are we thanking, praising and sharing?  Are we talking with people about how we have seen (and felt) the Messiah - Emmanuel, God WITH us?  Something to think about.........

"When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child,"  (Luke 2:17)

Talking about, "concerning," what we have learned, seen, and (or) heard can be both interesting and difficult.  How are you at sharing when something "new" has happened?  What is your reaction when you have to talk about something?  We frequently, now days, see - and hear - "if you see something SAY something."  (Emphasis mine)  The question remains...DO we?  Do we say something even when it is a GOOD thing we have seen?

The Scripture readings are sharing the Good News of Jesus' birth.  Isaiah is telling us "for to us a child is born."  (Isaiah 9:6)  Titus is sharing "the grace of God" has appeared and "offers salvation."  (Titus 2:11) Paul is pointing out the "already" of celebrating Jesus's birth.  Luke is also sharing the already.  He is explaining about the shepherds hearing the angels and being "terrified" (Luke 2:9) but  how they followed instructions, went to see the baby AND "spread the word."  They talked about what they had seen and heard.  People were "amazed" (Luke 2:18) but the shepherds still talked about it.

So......how are we at "talking" about it?  Do we "spread the word" of where we have seen, felt and followed?   Do we talk about knowing God's presence and strength through all the changes, and challenges, happening around us?  Something to think about.......

"For he took notice of his lowly servant girl, and from now on all generations will call me blessed."  (Luke 1:48 NLT)

Sharing stories is what we do - isn't it?  When we are gathered together as a family we share about other times we have gathered or maybe about a recent trip, event or celebration.  We share the stories with family, with friends, as a "teaching moment" and sometimes  with complete strangers because we are so excited about something.  Sometimes the story is a happy memory, sometimes a funny "oops" memory and sometimes a surprise memory.  Some of the best memories, especially to share with the "younger" generation, are about "when I was your age we _________."  

The readings, today, are about sharing stories - memories.   Mary is looking forward to what "all generations" will think about the miracle that is happening in her life. (v. 48)   Paul is explaining about how his teachings are now being "revealed and made known" through him and others.  (Romans 16:26)  And the Gospel reading, also in Luke, is the angel visiting Mary telling her about her son and how "he will reign over Jacob's descendants forever; his kingdom will never end." (Luke 1:33) The angel also tells Mary about her cousin, Elizabeth, giving Mary someone to share her story with right away.

All through Advent, as we have prepared to celebrate Jesus' birthday, we have been looking at Jesus' family tree - and the stories.  Now we need to think about sharing the stories......  Who are we telling about our encounters with God?  Who are we encouraging, like Mary and Elizabeth, with the stories?  Who are we "revealing" the stories to - like Paul?  Something to think about......

"But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel."  (Matthew 2:6)

​When you think of "small towns" what do you think of?  A population under 5,000?  A population under a thousand?  A community with only one traffic light?  A suburb to a larger community?  I have lived in a town with less than 300 people (but it did have a traffic light!).  There is also a community near me with less than 50 people. What about voices?  Can ONE voice make a difference?  One person speaking up, calling attention to, a problem or need?

The Scripture readings today are pointing out the one voice coming from a small town.  The reading, in Matthew, is King Herod asking, and learning, where the Messiah will be born - in Bethlehem, a town of less than 1000 people.  (v.6)  1 Thessalonians is reminding us to be praying, listening for what God is saying to us through the Holy Spirit. (5:19)  The Gospel reading is telling us about the one voice calling to people to prepare to "make straight the way for the Lord."  (John 1:23)  One voice calling for change, for people to prepare - "make straight the way."

Yes, many of us DO live in small communities.  Some of us live in "small" communities, even if the community is in a larger community or city, because of the building (or family) we are living with.  Yes, we are often the one voice trying to get people to pay attention.  Are we listening for what God is saying to us?  Are we doing what God is asking us to do?  Do we believe that one small voice, from a small community, can make a difference?  Something to think about.......

"Then the man said, "Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel because you have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome."  (Genesis 32:28)

When we think of families and wrestling we are probably thinking of the times brothers, sisters, cousins - whomever - really got into what ever they were arguing about -- right?  Or, maybe, it is the time the whole family came together because of an outsider.  We can fight among ourselves but then we come together.  In all these scenarios we "overcome" - right?

The readings, today, are about families and wrestling.  The Genesis reading is the story of Jacob becoming Israel because of wrestling "with God and with humans" especially while wrestling with fear. (v. 28)  Peter is reminding all of us God's timing is not our timing.  (2 Peter 3:8) As we wrestle with changes, schedules and families we need to remember Emmanuel - God IS with us.  The Gospel reading, in Mark 1, is telling us about John the Baptist who is also talking about Emmanuel coming and being filled with the Holy Spirit. (Mark 1:8)

So.... whatever we are wrestling with, our family or changes happening, we can KNOW God is with us helping and guiding.  In this "microwave" world, however we need to remember God's timing is NOT our timing.   We need to remember God keeps God's promises and keep moving forward.  Something to think about........​​