It is That Time of Year Again.

My mom and I walked into a children’s shop last night to find something for my children to wear during the Christmas holiday season. My mom always loves to buy them matching or at least coordinating outfits for the special times of the year. I turned to my mom and said, “I remember when the Christmas music didn’t start playing until at least the day after Thanksgiving.” This was my response to the music playing in the store, and they had the volume jacked up too. I think the loud music is to keep you confused while you are shopping so you don’t pay attention to the price as much. I am making a joke just in case anyone was confused, but yes, it is THAT time of year again.

Every year about this time I start asking the same question, “Why?” Why do we celebrate Jesus’ birthday? Why do people put lights all over their yard for a month and a half (or longer)? Why should I go to all the trouble of putting up a Christmas tree? What does it mean anyway? Many of us know that most of the traditions come from pagan origin anyway so what is the purpose? The answer to these questions is as simple as Linus’ deliverance of Luke 2:8-14. I hope you enjoy this short clip. It is one of my favorite “traditions” to watch the Charlie Brown Christmas.



I ask these questions not to be cynical but to challenge myself to make it mean something. I desperately want my children to understand the importance of doing everything for the glory of God. This years blogging experience has been a great blessing and it has been a great challenge. I have had many questions answered and many questions have come up (I know there was a blog on this very subject not too long ago).


Jesus' first time in the temple
Because Jesus was a first born son it was the Jewish law to offer a sacrifice to God. Isn’t it strange to think of this sacrifice? Joseph and Mary bought back Jesus, their first born son so that one day he would buy us all back by paying the price of sin once and for all. Just for refresher, God spared the first born sons (in Egypt) of those Israelites who marked the doorposts with the lambs blood. God then commanded them to present a sacrifice for each first born male, to buy them back - redeem. We must remember that Jesus did not come to demolish the law but to complete it.

Can you imagine the feelings Mary and Joseph had when the prophet Simeon came in and held their son, proclaiming that he was the Messiah? Even after all the events of Mary’s pregnancy, Joseph’s dream, the shepherds’ adoration, I wonder if their confidence wavered? I wonder, out of my own convictions, if they might have wanted to hide away with him and wait for more clarification to come to them? As they listened to the prophet Simeon he prophesied about the affect Jesus would have on Israel.

“Son, why have You done this to us? Look, Your father and I have sought You anxiously.” Some people like to joke with me about my four little lambs when we are going places. One question I get a lot is, “Do you constantly do a head count?” I usually laugh and say, “It depends.” Think about Mary and Joseph who was raising the Son of God and they lost him. Now we know he was never lost but I just wonder if Mary was afraid that God might ask her, Mary what did you do with my son? To lose a child is one of the biggest fears of a mother. Jesus tells his mother that he was simply about his Father’s business and that she should not have been worried. She and Joseph did not understand but Jesus went home with them and was obedient to his parents just like his word says to.

John the Baptist Preaches and Baptizes
John begins to teach and rebuke the people about their attitude towards God. He wanted them to understand their need for repentance. Then he baptized them. As he was baptizing, Jesus approached him and was also baptized. This signified the beginning of Jesus’ ministry and the approval of the Father. Jesus did not need repentance he was setting an example for all of us to follow.

Luke chapter 3 ends with the lineage of Jesus all the way back to Adam. In my study notes it tells me that Luke did this to show how Jesus is related to all human beings and to help us have the picture that Jesus is the Savior of the world not just one people group. Praise God!