Thursday, December 27, 2007
Back to work. Even if you don’t have to report to an office or store or factory floor, it’s time for life to return to the old routines.
During the Christmas season everything has a bit of a glow. Decorations are everywhere. There is a sense of happy expectation. People take time to express good wishes to one another. But the feeling doesn’t last. Students remember that they have papers to write before the break is over. Parents remember that they have bills to pay after all the gift giving. Grandparents remember that their grown children must return home, leaving them alone again.
Mary and Joseph, too, had a sharp reminder that all was not visions of angels and visits from shepherds. On the eighth day after Jesus’ birth they took Him to be circumcised. The blood and pain of His circumcision would be a reminder to them that He was a part of the people of the covenant, the people of promise. And after 40 days they journeyed to the Temple to offer the sacrifices that would redeem Him, buy Him back, as the firstborn son.
Two doves were killed that day. They were lovely and pure and innocent, but the giving of their lives for Jesus’ life was a sharp reminder to Mary and Joseph of what the angel had said: “Give him the name Jesus because He will save His people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21). Jesus would be that sacrifice for us.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, instead of feeling sorry for myself that the celebration is over, fill me with joy, knowing that each day I am renewed in You. Amen.
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