Will Mary Never Get a Break?

     After the Maji left, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. "Get up. Take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him." 

     Poor Mary. Now what?

     Joseph got up in the night and they left for Egypt. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: "Out of Egypt I called my son."  

      Well, you know how it went. Herod slew a number of young Bethlehem children in the hope one of them was the one chosen to replace him. A couple years later the angel gave Joseph the all-clear. 

     They returned to the land of Israel, and settled in Nazareth, in Galilee.

     Mary finally caught a break.

Tomorrow: prophecy fulfilled

     

Can Herod Slay His Rival?

     In Matthew chapter 2, King Herod called together all the chief priests and teachers of the law, asking them where the Christ was to be born. 

     "In Bethlehem in Judea," they replied, "for this is what the prophet has written: But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel." 

     Herod learned the exact time the star had appeared in Judah. Then he sent the Magi to Bethlehem , telling them to find the child, let him (apparently the couple had returned to the city of birth) know where, and he, Herod, would also go "to worship." 

     The Magi continued following the star, until it stopped over the place - now a house - where the child was. Finding Mary and the child, they bowed down and worshiped. 

     Enter a dream from heaven. The Magi were warned not to visit Herod, but to return to their country by another route. 

Tomorrow: another dream

     

 

 

Fulfilling Prophecy 

     A few more interesting notes concerning the virgin, Mary. It didn't take long for this journey to take an off ramp. 

     On the eighth day, Mary and Joseph took the baby to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, as it was written in the Law of the Lord (Luke 2:23). Every firstborn male was to be consecrated to the Lord. 

     Continuing in Luke 2, there was a man (Simeon) who was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. In fact, the Spirit had told Simeon that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Christ. 

     In the temple courts, Simeon took the child and prayed to the "Sovereign Lord" regarding his promise kept..."for my eyes have seen your salvation which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel." 

     Joseph and Mary "marveled at what was said about" their child. Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, "This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too" (Luke 2:34-35). 

     From this we turn to Matthew chapter 2. While Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus were planning to go to Nazareth, "Magi from the East" had followed a star (no interstates then) having heard that "the king of the Jews" had been born. They came with gifts, asking where to find the new king. When King Herod heard this, he was disturbed. 

Tomorrow: Herod wants Mary's child dead

 Oh, the crowd! 

     Jesus was drawing large crowds with his teaching and healing power. One day Mary his mother and his brothers tried to catch up with him. When told they were outside, wanting to see him, Jesus said, "My mother and brothers are those who hear God's Word and put it into practice" (Luke chapter 8).

     Wow! Did the family ever see him? What did they want to tell him anyway? Or ask him! 

     John chapter 19: Jesus had brought Lazarus to life after four days in a tomb. Officials, losing their grip on the people, saw this not as amazing, good news, but a final straw that might trigger the Romans to take full control of Judea. (The Romans did just that anyway, a few decades later.)

     They arrested Jesus one night, sent him to Pilate's court, and prodded onlookers to demand his crucifixion. It worked. 

     Suffering on his cross, Jesus saw his mother, Mary, now probably nearing age 50. Her sister was there. And John, the only disciple with the courage to attend this sordid event. 

     Jesus addressed Mary, "Dear woman, here is your son." And to John, "Here is your mother." 

     How did Mary know about this? Was she still living in Nazareth? Did she follow the same 90-mile route to Jerusalem/Bethlehem she had traveled three decades earlier as a virgin with her unborn baby?

Tomorrow: fulfilling prophecy  

  

 TUESDAY NIGHT

Mary, didga know? 

     You may be familiar with this Christmas song about virgin Mary and what she may or may not have known. Assumption is that she was still in her teens when an angel gave her an assignment like no other.

     She learned that her son would be called "Immanuel," God with us (Isaiah 7:14). Jesus at age 12. The family in Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover, headed home with numerous other travelers. When Jesus was missing, they returned frantically, to find him in discussions with teachers of the law. His reply, "Don't you know I must be about my Father's business." 

     Mary must have wondered about this "good news of great joy" she was raising.

     Jesus was 30 before he went to the Jordan River to be baptized by John, a distant relative. Did he tell his mother where he was going? Did she learn on "the evening news" that the Holy Spirit took him from the Jordan right into the desert for 40 days and nights?

     Jesus and his mother were guests at a wedding reception. She knew he was ready for his mission. When the wine was gone, she told the host that Jesus would take care of it. Jesus said, "Dear woman, why do you involve me? My time has not yet come." But soon after, the wine barrels were full, and it was the best tasting of all. 

Tomorrow: Separated by the crowd

     

The Day After Christmas  

     While many rush to stores the day after, to exchange gifts that didn't quite give, we look back to... What happened 2,000-plus years ago that we make such a big deal out of it...at the mall? Or, by Amazon Prime? 

     In the book of Luke, an angel named Gabriel appeared to Mary, a virgin, who was engaged to marry Joseph, a descendant of David. He said "you are highly favored," and that the Holy Spirit would come upon her, and she will "name the child Jesus...because he will save his people from their sins." 

     Both Matthew and Luke agree unequivocally that Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit. 

     Throughout history, kingship, inheritance and such always included a man as head. This would be different. 

     Jesus would also be called the Son of the Most High and inherit the throne of his father David, and "he will reign over the house of Jacob forever." 

     Mary and Joseph later had sons the normal way. She is greatly respected for her character, and because she was chosen for such an honor. We don't worship her, rather, her child, the newborn king. 

     In the book of Matthew, Jesus was also called Immanuel, which means God with us (Isaiah 7:14), written hundreds of years earlier.

     Mary's son was rejected and crucified.

     God's calling is always both blessing and suffering...joy and sadness...success and disappointment. 

Tomorrow: water into wine

  

        

Silent night, holy night,

All is calm, all is bright.

Round yon virgin mother and Child,

Holy Infant so tender and mild,

Sleep in heavenly peace,

Shepherds quake at the sight. 

Heavenly hosts sing alleluia,

Christ the Savior is born! 

Son of God, loves pure light,

Radiant beams from Thy holy face,

With the dawn of redeeming grace,

Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth. 

Joseph Mohr (1792-1848)