The observance of Christmas is fraught with cultural traditions that predate the Christian Era. Just as the 'holy family' traveled to get to Bethlehem people still travel to be with family for the holidays. The giving of gifts which also predated the Magi has been commercialized to the point that Malls start playing Kristmas Krap the day after Hallowe'en. Amid all this noise one has to work hard to find the babe of Bethlehem who as the jingle goes is "the reason for the season". Many of our traditions have their origins in rituals marking the darkest days of winter and the need for observances to lighten the mood at a depressing time of year. Since no particular significance was paid to the birth of a child to an unknown couple who were simply names on a census role little is known about the actual date or year of his birth. The Christian Establishment simply substituted this celebration for an existing pagan festival in much the same way that Easter is pegged following the first full moon after the Vernal Equinox.
Since churches are traditionally packed at Christmas these are some of the most familiar passages in the canon.
Once again we return to Isaiah whose people Israel lived in a strategically placed land that was located between invading armies on every side. Again he predicts the coming of one who will liberate his people. This passage lists the names given to this Messiah familiar to all who have heard the section of Handel's work which puts this passage to music.
The Psalm celebrates this deliverer but also exhorts his people to praise his name and spread the message of his saving grace among all peoples.
In Titus the writer identifies Jesus as the Salvation of his people and sums up his mission and our responsibilities in the clearest possible terms.
And so we come to Luke's version of the birth of Jesus. Joseph and Mary lived in Nazareth but the prophesies foretold a Messiah born in Bethlehem of Judea who would be of the house and lineage of David. Joseph was a descendent of David and the means of getting him to Bethlehem for the birth of his son was a census decreed by Caesar Augustus. Like England's Doomsday Book or America's Census those in power wanted to know the extent and scope of their empire. Once more one must remember that King David whose reign ushered in Israel's golden age was anointed as a simple shepherd boy out in the fields tending his sheep. Jesus was born in a cave used to shelter cattle and laid in a manger used to feed those cattle. It was to shepherds such as King David once was that the message of this birth is first announced. Simple, uneducated, men smelling of the flocks they tended.
Angels or messengers from God appeared proclaiming Jesus' as God's Son on three occasions in the Gospels: at his birth, at his baptism, and at his transfiguration. At his death the sky turned black and the earth quaked; at his resurrection angels appeared and talked to Mary; the heavens opened at Jesus' ascension; and the Holy Spirit appeared as tongues of fire and a rushing wind at Pentecost. Symbolically the heavenly host is so overjoyed at this birth that they felt compelled to share the good news and it was these shepherds who were the recipients of the message. Even at his birth it is made clear that his mission will be to the poor and neglected not the rich and powerful. Just as the hosts of heaven feel compelled to share the good news so should we today.
This event taking place just after the darkest days of winter in the Northern Hemisphere the symbolism of light appears in today's OT Lesson and again when the angels appear to the shepherds. This theme will be expanded upon in John 1, the Gospel traditionally read on Christmas Day.
Since churches are traditionally packed at Christmas these are some of the most familiar passages in the canon.
Once again we return to Isaiah whose people Israel lived in a strategically placed land that was located between invading armies on every side. Again he predicts the coming of one who will liberate his people. This passage lists the names given to this Messiah familiar to all who have heard the section of Handel's work which puts this passage to music.
The Psalm celebrates this deliverer but also exhorts his people to praise his name and spread the message of his saving grace among all peoples.
In Titus the writer identifies Jesus as the Salvation of his people and sums up his mission and our responsibilities in the clearest possible terms.
And so we come to Luke's version of the birth of Jesus. Joseph and Mary lived in Nazareth but the prophesies foretold a Messiah born in Bethlehem of Judea who would be of the house and lineage of David. Joseph was a descendent of David and the means of getting him to Bethlehem for the birth of his son was a census decreed by Caesar Augustus. Like England's Doomsday Book or America's Census those in power wanted to know the extent and scope of their empire. Once more one must remember that King David whose reign ushered in Israel's golden age was anointed as a simple shepherd boy out in the fields tending his sheep. Jesus was born in a cave used to shelter cattle and laid in a manger used to feed those cattle. It was to shepherds such as King David once was that the message of this birth is first announced. Simple, uneducated, men smelling of the flocks they tended.
Angels or messengers from God appeared proclaiming Jesus' as God's Son on three occasions in the Gospels: at his birth, at his baptism, and at his transfiguration. At his death the sky turned black and the earth quaked; at his resurrection angels appeared and talked to Mary; the heavens opened at Jesus' ascension; and the Holy Spirit appeared as tongues of fire and a rushing wind at Pentecost. Symbolically the heavenly host is so overjoyed at this birth that they felt compelled to share the good news and it was these shepherds who were the recipients of the message. Even at his birth it is made clear that his mission will be to the poor and neglected not the rich and powerful. Just as the hosts of heaven feel compelled to share the good news so should we today.
This event taking place just after the darkest days of winter in the Northern Hemisphere the symbolism of light appears in today's OT Lesson and again when the angels appear to the shepherds. This theme will be expanded upon in John 1, the Gospel traditionally read on Christmas Day.
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