12-24-19

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS

December 24, 2019

Scripture: Luke 2:1-3

In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered.

Thought for the Day: I have referenced this so many times, but I think it deserves repeating. The Gospel Writer believes this information is important to his audience. Why not just say, “The couple had to make a visit to Bethlehem to take care of some business”? It sure seems as if the Gospel Writer wants us, the readers, to understand that God is acting in history, and not “a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away.” What God is about to do is happening among real people, living in real life circumstances. Mary and Joseph woke every morning to a Roman Empire that held power over the Jewish people. The story is not told from the perspective of middle class folks doing well and enjoying Roman life. These are people who are forced to make a journey to comply with bureaucratic rules, often imposed on people just to reinforce who had the power and who did not. What does it tell you about God when rather unknown people under incredibly difficult life events are the focus of God’s attention?

Prayer: It is upon us! The glorious news spoken to shepherd will once again be announced to the world: A child is born to us! O Holy One of this day, let us again hear the news of your eternal presence entering human existence, not because certain people deserve it or can pay for it. You enter because you love us. Amen.

---

---

—--

---

via WordPress https://ift.tt/2sXVJp7