Today I am celebrating the Christmas Story. I am considering the Magi's journey. There was planning and packing, mapping - All things I love. But today I am thinking about the trip down the Joseph's street. I always pictured the Magi arriving during the day, but I reread Matthew 2 and realized, if they are following the star, they must have arrived at night or the evening.
I'm sure everyone isn't into the details like I am. They arrived. That is the important thing. That is all that matters, Dottie.
But, you know arriving during the day is different than arriving at night. Arriving at night and camping out on the doorstep until morning is different than knocking on someone's door at 1 am.
I also wonder about the conversations. Like what was said between the Magi, Mary and Joseph. These guys traveled for days, weeks, months even? I would think the Magi had to have expectations building up about what you are going to find, what you want to hear or say.
I've seen the paintings that beautifully depict the giving of the gifts. Perhaps because my love language isn't gifts, I can't imagine traveling thousands of miles to drop a good size lump of frankincense in front of a toddler king that the King of his country hasn't even heard about. Finding the king the stars proclaimed in a working class neighborhood with a carpenter as a father, not being properly trained in culture and class to rule!
I just can't help but think that the Magi walked away shaking their heads and wondering why they made the trip.
Monday, February 17, 2014
Friday, February 14, 2014
Still celebrating the Christmas Story - 2/14 - the journey
I am still celebrating the real Christmas story. The journey from Bethlehem to Egypt has me fascinated. Today, I am thinking about Mary and Joseph's neighbors and what they must have observed.
I have been taught that Joseph, as a carpenter, established shop in Bethlehem and worked, until it was a better time to travel for Mary. That Jesus was about 2 years old when the Magi arrived. That Joseph and family lived in a working class neighborhood.
So, this working class neighborhood watches this entourage of animals and foreigners parade down the road to Joseph's house. I can't image this was quiet or that people just continued with their tasks. When I was a kid, we all stopped and commented when we saw a car in reverse on our road - hey, it didn't take much.
Did the neighbors talk to the entourage? It's hard to imagine that the children didn't ask questions. I wonder if there was a language barrier. Did they watch the parade of gifts and watch the value of Joseph's home double? triple? Did every housewife on the street decide she was taking Mary a fresh pomegranate tomorrow, so she could hear the scoop straight from Mary?
And the next morning, Joseph's house was vacant. Except for a small pile of fresh pomegranates.
And in just a bit, all the babies were gone as well.
She refused to be comforted,
because her children are dead.” Jeremiah 31:15
Do you think the neighbors ever connected all this?
I have been taught that Joseph, as a carpenter, established shop in Bethlehem and worked, until it was a better time to travel for Mary. That Jesus was about 2 years old when the Magi arrived. That Joseph and family lived in a working class neighborhood.
So, this working class neighborhood watches this entourage of animals and foreigners parade down the road to Joseph's house. I can't image this was quiet or that people just continued with their tasks. When I was a kid, we all stopped and commented when we saw a car in reverse on our road - hey, it didn't take much.
Did the neighbors talk to the entourage? It's hard to imagine that the children didn't ask questions. I wonder if there was a language barrier. Did they watch the parade of gifts and watch the value of Joseph's home double? triple? Did every housewife on the street decide she was taking Mary a fresh pomegranate tomorrow, so she could hear the scoop straight from Mary?
And the next morning, Joseph's house was vacant. Except for a small pile of fresh pomegranates.
And in just a bit, all the babies were gone as well.
She refused to be comforted,
because her children are dead.” Jeremiah 31:15
Do you think the neighbors ever connected all this?
Thursday, February 13, 2014
Celebrating the Christmas Story 2/13 - the Journey
I am still reflecting on and celebrating the Christmas Story. The midnight, join the witness protection program, journey to Egypt has really gotten my attention. I think about how many times I have packed to make a weekend trip to visit my parents and forgotten some essential item. More than once, it has been my tooth brush. I get there and make the store run to get the essential forgotten item.
I can't imagine packing for such a essential trip: in the dark after struggling to go to sleep after such an incredible visit from the most amazing most important people you have never heard of you that could ever meet, who come and kneel before my baby boy and offered gifts of incredible value. That they traveled thousands of miles to bring to him. (and I failed to send them a shower invitation!) I would either fall asleep exhausted after all that or lay there and contemplate what it all meant. Or if Joseph was a listener, I would talk endless circles around it all, just trying to figure it all out. Sleep? Who could?
And then, just when I drifted off, Joseph would be shaking me to wake me up, rattling about nonsense, packing, dream, angels, Egypt, Herod, etc. I would be trying to remember who I am, what day it is and where am I? And WHO is this insane man telling me to pack?
Packing wasn't always so stressful for me. However, when I got a daughter who was stressed out by changes, packing and trips, who shared her stress with the entire home by melting down, screaming and arguing: All the sudden, I am arriving at my weekend destination without my tooth brush.
It is a little like having a two year old. Oh right, Mary had a two year old . . . I wonder if she got to Egypt with her tooth bush.
I can't imagine packing for such a essential trip: in the dark after struggling to go to sleep after such an incredible visit from the most amazing most important people you have never heard of you that could ever meet, who come and kneel before my baby boy and offered gifts of incredible value. That they traveled thousands of miles to bring to him. (and I failed to send them a shower invitation!) I would either fall asleep exhausted after all that or lay there and contemplate what it all meant. Or if Joseph was a listener, I would talk endless circles around it all, just trying to figure it all out. Sleep? Who could?
And then, just when I drifted off, Joseph would be shaking me to wake me up, rattling about nonsense, packing, dream, angels, Egypt, Herod, etc. I would be trying to remember who I am, what day it is and where am I? And WHO is this insane man telling me to pack?
Packing wasn't always so stressful for me. However, when I got a daughter who was stressed out by changes, packing and trips, who shared her stress with the entire home by melting down, screaming and arguing: All the sudden, I am arriving at my weekend destination without my tooth brush.
It is a little like having a two year old. Oh right, Mary had a two year old . . . I wonder if she got to Egypt with her tooth bush.
Wednesday, February 12, 2014
Celebrating the Christmas Story 2/12
Today, I am still celebrating the Real Christmas Story. I am celebrating the journey from Bethlehem to Egypt, made in the middle of the night. Joseph has an Angelic Dream and takes the family to Egypt immediately. I search the internet for random bits of information: How far from Bethlehem to Egypt? about 200 miles. I reread the Matthew 2:9 - 23 again and wonder. About the star the Magi followed and how they followed it to where it stopped: at Joseph's home. I read about how the Magi had their own Angelic visit and were also obedient and left a different way. I notice how an angel visit seems to prompt immediate obedience from the Magi, the shepherds and Joseph. This is Joseph's second dream where an angel appeared to him.
I think about the journey 200+/- miles with no planning. Perhaps they were living out of suitcases already, but the planner in me feels this sense of overwhelming dread. (I need toothpaste, shampoo, dental floss - how many days again until we pass a store? Is the Visa paid up? perhaps a new tooth brush and cash. A major bank withdrawal.)
200 miles equals a journey of 10 days at 20 miles a day. With a 2 year old . . . How do strollers work in miles of sand?
This journey has taken on a whole different meaning for me. Now that I have counted the cost, I think I'm going back to bed. Maybe the Angelic visit makes all the difference in the world. Maybe being in utter terror for your life and the life of your child does it.
I think about the journey 200+/- miles with no planning. Perhaps they were living out of suitcases already, but the planner in me feels this sense of overwhelming dread. (I need toothpaste, shampoo, dental floss - how many days again until we pass a store? Is the Visa paid up? perhaps a new tooth brush and cash. A major bank withdrawal.)
200 miles equals a journey of 10 days at 20 miles a day. With a 2 year old . . . How do strollers work in miles of sand?
This journey has taken on a whole different meaning for me. Now that I have counted the cost, I think I'm going back to bed. Maybe the Angelic visit makes all the difference in the world. Maybe being in utter terror for your life and the life of your child does it.
Tuesday, February 11, 2014
Still celebrating the Christmas Story 2/11/14
The Christmas Story is worth celebrating and I am still celebrating it! Today, I am celebrating the instant obedience of Joseph after the visit of the Magi. Joseph joined the witness protection program and left for Egypt in the middle of the night. When I reflect on this story, what strikes me is the instantaneous obedience.
Wouldn't it have been good enough to leave in the morning? What did the neighbors think when the Magi parade in one night and the whole family is gone in the morning?
But for me, it is the pressing question of could you, would you in the middle of the night obey? Leave it all.
Matt. 2:13 After they left, an angel of the Lord came to Joseph in a dream and said, “Get up! Take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt, because Herod is starting to look for the child so he can kill him. Stay in Egypt until I tell you to return.”
14 So Joseph got up and left for Egypt during the night with the child and his mother. 15 And Joseph stayed in Egypt until Herod died. This happened to bring about what the Lord had said through the prophet: “I called my son out of Egypt.”[a]
Wouldn't it have been good enough to leave in the morning? What did the neighbors think when the Magi parade in one night and the whole family is gone in the morning?
But for me, it is the pressing question of could you, would you in the middle of the night obey? Leave it all.
Matt. 2:13 After they left, an angel of the Lord came to Joseph in a dream and said, “Get up! Take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt, because Herod is starting to look for the child so he can kill him. Stay in Egypt until I tell you to return.”
14 So Joseph got up and left for Egypt during the night with the child and his mother. 15 And Joseph stayed in Egypt until Herod died. This happened to bring about what the Lord had said through the prophet: “I called my son out of Egypt.”[a]
Monday, February 3, 2014
Still Celebrating the Christmas Story 2/2
I am still celebrating the Christmas Story! This was supposed to be written and posted yesterday, but you know, life happens. Yesterday, had Jesus really been born on 12/25, which is unlikely, Yesterday is the day that Mary and Joseph would have taken him to the temple and presented him to the Lord. This is the day they would have also offered the sacrifice of two doves or 2 young pigeons. If Mary worked outside the home and had the traditional 6 week maternity leave, it is about time to go back to work.
Baby Jesus would be spending more time awake. Mary is probably very tired. Mary and Joseph are figuring out their daily lives. Joseph is ready for a honeymoon.
Where are you with the Christmas story? It's been 41 days since the official celebration. How far are you from "normal"? How far are you from the real Christmas story?
Luke 2:22 When the time came for Mary and Joseph to do what the law of Moses taught about being made pure,[d] they took Jesus to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord. 23 (It is written in the law of the Lord: “Every firstborn male shall be given to the Lord.”)[e] 24 Mary and Joseph also went to offer a sacrifice, as the law of the Lord says: “You must sacrifice two doves or two young pigeons.”[f]
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
