Introduction to the Infancy Narratives of Luke 1.1-2.52

Overview of John the Baptist and Jesus…and Us

Monday, November 30, 2015 

            The infancy narrative in the gospel of Luke begins with Zechariah performing his priestly duties in the Temple, and it ends with Jesus impressing the teachers by listening to them and asking them questions – also in the Temple.  The births of these two babies were both miraculous; Elizabeth was old and barren, and Mary’s baby was conceived by the Holy Spirit.  When Zechariah was told about the upcoming birth of his son John, he was unable to speak due to his disbelief.  However, when she sees Elizabeth, Mary soon sings the beautiful Magnificat.  John the Baptist represents the Old Covenant of the law, and Jesus, the New Covenant of grace and love.  John’s heritage is priestly, whereas Jesus earthly family was from the kingly tradition of David.  It is interesting to me that David as well as Joseph and his family both began their lives as commoners.  However, there were leaders in their midst, David of Judah and Jesus of heaven and ultimately the earth.

            I had never thought of these comparisons before, but they speak volumes to me about both the humanity as well as the divinity of Jesus.  However, they also challenge me: Who am I like?  Zechariah, performing my duties in the church according to the letter of the law, but not accepting the miracle of God speaking to me?  Or like Jesus, increasing in wisdom and in favor with God and people (Luke 2.52)?  Who am I like? Silent and unable to speak of God’s work in my life and in the world like Zechariah?  Or like Mary who believes God and beautifully magnifies the Lord in her soul?  Who am I like?  John the Baptist, representing the Old Covenant of law and legalism?  Or like Jesus, the New Covenant of grace and love?

            May we all, both me and you, consider who we are like.

The Families of CBC Go to Brazil for Christmas!

Sunday, November 29, 2015 

            We are going on an imaginary trip to Brazil in South America so we learn about how a different country celebrates Christmas.  Do you have a nativity set at home, like we do at church on the communion table?  These are very popular in homes and churches in Brazil.  The children put the angels, magi, and shepherds far away from the manger and move them a little closer each day, as if they are on a journey like these visitors were in the birth and infancy of Jesus.  In Brazil, there is also another visitor who travels in secret and tries to steal the baby Jesus!

            Many of the children and families are very poor in Brazil.  However, people still have fun going on picnics (because it is warm at Christmastime there), watching fireworks, dancing, and going to church at midnight on Christmas Eve.  During the service, people who can afford it give white gifts, such as potatoes and rice, so that the poorer children and their families can have a good Christmas meal.  For dinner the Brazilian families like to eat turkey and ham, just like you may do at home.

            Santa Claus in Brazil is called “Papa Noel” or “Good Old Man.”  Some families can afford a Christmas tree, like you may have, and they put white decorations on it.  The children who have a tree put their shoes under it and Papa Noel climbs through a window and puts a gift in them.  Other children put a sock by that window, and the Good Old Man puts a gift in it for them.  Some people also have a “secret friend” and in the days before Christmas they leave little gifts or holiday greetings without their names on it for their secret friend.  It is not until Christmas Day that they find out who their secret friend has been. 

            To the parents: How can you celebrate Christmas in Brazil by incorporating one of their traditions into your Christmas holiday: Putting the visitors of the baby Jesus a distance away and having your child(ren) move them a little closer to the manger every day?  Or hanging a white ornament on your tree in honor of the children and their families in Brazil?  There are other ideas in the above imaginary trip to Brazil.  Also, perhaps you could bring an extra gift for the Food Pantry next Sunday so that the hungry in our area, too, can have a delicious Christmas dinner.  Each child may enjoy contributing a food item as well.

Welcome to CBC’s Advent Devotional 2015

Lynn Wolcott 

            Advent begins this year on Sunday, November 29^th and lasts through Friday, December 25^th.  This devotional is designed to prepare our minds and our hearts for this Christmas season.  Our society has so commercialized this holy time of year that sometimes we need to make a concerted effort to recognize it as truly a time to celebrate the wondrous birth of Jesus.  The daily devotionals are short and focus on ways to ponder the gloriousness of what God did for humankind by becoming as one of us. 

            A few words about the structure of this Advent Devotional: Sundays are set aside as family days in which both children and adults (!) can learn about how Christmas is celebrated by girls and boys and their families around the world.  Perhaps the parents will light an Advent candle with their daughter(s) and / or son(s).  For the young people and adults, during the first week of Advent (from Monday through Friday) we will focus on the story of Jesus’ birth in the gospel of Luke. During the second five weekdays, the same for the gospel of Matthew.  The third, on the four women in Jesus’ genealogy in Matthew.  Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday of the last week of Advent, we will look at some Christmas carols that, though very old, were written in the spirit that will resonate with that of our values and beliefs here at CBC.  On Thursday, which is Christmas Eve, the focus will be on hope – the hope that this Advent season has planted in our hearts for a renewed relationship with the babe of Bethlehem.  On Christmas Day, there will be a short devotional on love – the love that moved God as a Parent to send God’s own Child to live amongst us.  Finally, Saturdays will be a “day off” to spend some time reflecting on the Advent season in a way that resonates with your own heart.

          Two last comments: First, this Advent Devotional is set up as an online blog so that people who choose to can respond to it.  However, paper copies will be available for people who prefer that format.  Second, unless otherwise indicated, all Bible verses are from the NRSV, except where gender inclusive terms have been used for God as well as people.