Month: December 2021

But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever,
the purposes of his heart through all
generations.
PSALM 33:11

Declare what is to be, present it,
let them take counsel together.
Who foretold this long ago,
who declared it from the distant past?
Was it not I, the Lord?
And there is no God apart from me,
a righteous God and a Savior;
there is none but me. 
Turn to me and be saved,
all you ends of the earth;
for I am God, and there is no other. 
ISAIAH 45:21-22

And I will put enmity 
between you and the woman,
and between your offspring and hers;
he will crush your head,
and you will strike his heel.
GENESIS 3:15

Comfort, comfort my people,
says your God.
Speak tenderly to Jerusalem,
and proclaim to her
that her hard service has been completed,
that her sin has been paid for,
that she has received form the Lord’s hand
double for all her sins. 
ISAIAH 40:1-2

He chose David his servant 
and took him from the sheep pens; 
from tending the sheep he brought him 
to be the shepherd of his people Jacob,
of Israel his inheritance.
PSALM 78:70-71

“The days are coming,” declares the Lord,
“when I will raise up to David a righteous Branch,
a King who will reign wisely 
and do what is just and right in the land. 
In his days Judah will be saved 
and Israel will live in safety.
This is the name by which he will be called:
The Lord Our Righteousness.” 
JEREMIAH 23:5-6

In love a throne will be established;
in faithfulness a man will sit on it—
one from the house of David—
one who in judging seeks justice 
and speeds the cause of righteousness. ISAIAH 16:5

A voice of one calling: “In the desert prepare the way for the Lord;
make straight in the wilderness 
a highway for our God.
Every valley shall be raised up,
every mountain and hill made low;
the rough ground shall become level,
the rugged places a plain. 
And the glory of the Lord will be revealed,
and all mankind together will see it.
For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” 
ISAIAH 40:3-5

“See, I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come,” says the Lord Almighty.
MALACHI 3:1

The people walking in darkness 
have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of the shadow of death 
a light has dawned.
ISAIAH 9:2

For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called 
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 
Of the increase of his government and peace 
there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne 
and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it 
with justice and righteousness 
from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the Lord Almighty 
will accomplish this.
ISAIAH 9:6-7

I will proclaim the decree of the Lord:
He said to me, “You are my Son;
today I have become your Father.”
PSALM 2:7

But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, 
though you are small among the clans of Judah, 
out of you will come for me 
one who will be ruler over Israel, 
whose origins are from of old, 
from ancient times.
MICAH 5:2

I will lead the blind by ways they have not known,
along unfamiliar paths I will guide them;
I will turn the darkness into light before them 
and make the rough places smooth.
These are the things I will do;
I will not forsake them.
ISAIAH 42:16

He says:
“It is too small a thing for you to be my servant 
to restore the tribes of Jacob 
and bring back those of Israel I have kept.
I will also make you a light for the Gentiles,
that you may bring my salvation to the ends of the earth.” 
This is what the Lord says—
the Redeemer and Holy One of Israel—
to him who was despised and abhorred by the nation, to the servant of rulers:
“Kings will see you and rise up,
princes will see and bow down,
because of the Lord, who is faithful,
the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen you.” 
ISAIAH 49:6-7

Arise, shine, for your light has come,
and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. 
See, darkness covers the earth 
and thick darkness is over the peoples,
but the Lord rises upon you 
and his glory appears over you. 
Nations will come to your light,
and kings to the brightness of your dawn. 
ISAIAH 60:1-3

The kings of the earth take their stand 
and the rulers gather together 
against the Lord
and against his Anointed One. 
PSALM 2:2

You who bring good tidings to Zion,
go up on a high mountain.
You who bring good tidings to Jerusalem, 
lift up your voice with a shout,
lift it up, do not be afraid;
say to the towns of Judah,
“Here is your God!”
ISAIAH 40:9

How beautiful on the mountains 
are the feet of those who bring good news,
who proclaim peace,
who bring good tidings,
who proclaim salvation,
who say to Zion,
“Your God reigns!”
ISAIAH 52:7

The Lord has made his salvation known 
and revealed his righteousness to the nations. 
He has remembered his love 
and his faithfulness to the house of Israel;
all the ends of the earth have seen 
the salvation of our God.
PSALM 98:2-3

I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. 
EZEKIEL 36:25-27

I will sing of the Lord’s great love forever;
with my mouth I will make your faithfulness 
known through all generations. 
I will declare that your love stands firm forever,
that you established your faithfulness in heaven itself. 
PSALM 89:1-2

Praying that your Christmas is blessed, and your journey is joyful – and healthy!

#1. (Nothing)

#2. Correct Date – True AND False
Jesus was not born in the early winter BUT the Church decided to hold a religious service – “Christ’s Mass” – on December 25 to counter the predominant pagan celebrations

• The actual date of Jesus’s birth is unknown – shepherds “watching their flocks” would happen only during lambing time – in the spring 
• The year also is unknown – Herod died in 4 BCE – Luke mentioned Quirinius was the Roman governor – he started in 6 CE
• “Star” – there is no known astronomical event – Halley’s Comet appeared in 12 BCE, Chinese astronomers reported a comet in 5 BCE
• The calendar has changed: Hebrew calendar was used in Palestine – Julian calendar in use when Jesus was born – the Gregorian or Modern calendar started in 1582 – 
• The earliest December 25 reference is 236 CE – Roman emperor attended a feast in 361 – December 25 became a US federal holiday in 1870
• Some eastern churches celebrate on January 7 because they still use the Julian calendar

Pagan midwinter celebrations:

• Solstice – return of the sun, longer days – metaphor for rebirth 
• Roman: Brumalia – Saturnalia: involved gift giving
• Sun gods – “Sol Invictus” (around 220 CE)
• Jewish: Hanukkah – 8 days of light to celebrate the rededication of the Temple (around 150 BCE)
• Scottish: Hogmany – New Years Eve – gift giving – from Norse invaders
• Norse/Germanic: Yule or Yuletide 
• Catholic Church countered with Christ’s Mass on December 25 – with feasts beginning around 350 CE

#3. There is no “0” year – the year after 1 BCE was 1 CE

#4. Santa Claus – All of the above

• St Nicholas – 4th century CE – Bishop of Demre in Lycia (modern Turkey) – generosity towards children and the poor – patron saint of archers, sailors, children and pawnbrokers
• Dutch – Sinterklaas – anglicized to “Santa Claus” – had helpers – Dec 6 – gift-giving
• English – Father Christmas – 1600’s – gifts to children Christmas Eve
• Germanic – Odin – Yule Holiday 1200’s – 8-legged flying horse (e.g. reindeer) – left gifts to kids
• “A Visit From Saint Nicholas” – 1823, Troy, New York, Clement Moore

#5. The Days of Christmas – False

• Boxing Day (England) – December 26 or 27 – gift boxes to service workers
• The “12 Days of Christmas” are December 25 through January 5 – then Feast of the Epiphany (“appearance” “manifestation”)
• Now it’s 28 days – from Black Friday

#7. Santos – False
Nativity or Crèche (cradle)

• St Francis of Assisi is credited with the first (1223) – tried to focus on worship rather than secular materialism
• Living nativity in a cave, but silent – Pope blessed the exhibit – grew from Italy
• Statues replaced people/animals – but now living nativity scenes are coming back
• Components are a mash up of Matthew (Wise men, star, gifts) and Luke (angels, shepherds, manger)
• Santos are carved statuettes of saints (primarily in New Mexico)

#8. Farolitos – True AND False

• Luminaria are traditionally small bonfires used to light the way for the Holy Family during Las Posadas (search for shelter) in the Southwest
• Farolitos are paper lanterns – a brown paper lunch bag with a candle nestled in sand – which are called “Luminaria” everywhere but Santa Fe, New Mexico

#9. Wise Men – False (but not for the reason you are thinking about)

• The Bible does not say how many wise men visited Jesus – the three gifts that are mentioned is the source of the “count”
• But the Bible does say they visited Jesus some time after his birth in a house [Matt 2:11]

Bonus: Origin of the Christmas Tree

• Started in eastern Europe in 1441 and northern Germany in mid-16th century
• “Tannenbaum” means “fir tree” – “Weihnachtsbaum” would be “Christmas Tree”
• Decorations included fruits, nuts, candles, paper flowers

Bonus: Origin of Christmas Cards

• 1843 – London – commissioned by Sir Henry Cole, drawn by John Horsley – family drinking wine
• 1875 – America – Louis Prang
• Declining in favor of electronic – Hallmark now offers E-cards.

6³⁰ The apostles gathered around Jesus, and told him all that they had done and taught. ³¹ He said to them, “Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. ³² And they went away in the boat to a deserted place by themselves. ³³ Now many saw them going and recognized them, and they hurried there on foot from all the towns and arrived ahead of them. ³⁴ As he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things. ³⁵ When it grew late, his disciples came to him and said, “This is a deserted place, and the hour is now very late; ³⁶ send them away so that they may go into the surrounding country and villages and buy something for themselves to eat.” ³⁷ But he answered them, “You give them something to eat.” They said to him, “Are we to go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread, and give it to them to eat?” ³⁸ And he said to them, “How many loaves have you? Go and see.” When they had found out, they said, “Five, and two fish.” ³⁹ Then he ordered them to get all the people to sit down in groups on the green grass. ⁴⁰ So they sat down in groups of hundreds and of fifties.
⁴¹ Taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to his disciples to set before the people; and he divided the two fish among them all. ⁴² And all ate and were filled; ⁴³ and they took up twelve baskets full of broken pieces and of the fish. ⁴⁴ Those who had eaten the loaves numbered five thousand men. 

⁴⁵ Immediately he made his disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. ⁴⁶ After saying farewell to them, he went up on the mountain to pray. 

⁴⁷ When evening came, the boat was out on the sea, and he was alone on the land.
⁴⁸ When he saw that they were straining at the oars against an adverse wind, he came towards them early in the morning, walking on the sea. He intended to pass them by.
⁴⁹ But when they saw him walking on the sea, they thought it was a ghost and cried out; ⁵⁰ for they all saw him and were terrified. But immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.” ⁵¹ Then he got into the boat with them and the wind ceased. And they were utterly astounded,
⁵² for they did not understand about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened.
⁵³ When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret and moored the boat.
⁵⁴ When they got out of the boat, people at once recognized him, ⁵⁵ and rushed about that whole region and began to bring the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was.
⁵⁶ And wherever he went, into villages or cities or farms, they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and begged him that they might touch even the fringe of his cloak; and all who touched it were healed. NRSV

Get into the Word

1. What is Jesus’s plan after the mission trip? Why does he want to do this? How successful is this plan? What happens? How does Jesus respond to the crowds? Why does he do this?

2. What problem comes up in the afternoon? What plan do the disciples suggest? What is Jesus’s plan? How do the disciples react to this idea? How might you have reacted if you had been there?

3. What do the disciples discover? How does Jesus start the meal? What is the result? How did the crowd feel about this (see Notes on John)?

4. What does Jesus tell the disciples to do after the meal? What does he do? What happens to the disciples? What does Jesus do in response to their situation? How do they react to this? Why do you think they reacted as they did? 

5. What happens when they reach the other side of the lake? What is the difference between the people in this town and the people of Nazareth (check 6:6)?

Get Personal

Have you been in a situation in which you had to trust God for “enough” of something? How did it work out?

(cross-references to Matthew and Luke are given in brackets)

6:30-44. Feeding the 5,000 — both Matthew and Luke, as well as John, include this incident very close to Mark’s version, but with some differences. 
Matthew links directly to the story of John’s death and says Jesus went away by himself. According to Matthew, Jesus had compassion on the crowd and healed their sick. Matthew does not mention the potential cost or having the crowd sit in groups, but he is the only one to refer to the women and children, [Matt 14:13-21].
Luke starts his narrative the same way Mark does, but he says Jesus welcomed the crowd and taught them about the Kingdom of God in addition to healing them. Luke also omits the potential cost of feeding the crowd, but the other details closely follow Mark’s version, [Luke 9:10-17].
John includes this incident in his Gospel [John 6:1-15]. According to John, Jesus initiates the feeding by asking Philip “where are we to buy bread for these people to eat?” . . . to test him. Andrew then tells Jesus about a boy with 5 loaves and 2 fish. Jesus has the crowd sit down and blesses the bread and fish and gives it to the disciples to distribute. At the end the people proclaim Jesus a prophet and he went higher on the mountain alone.
6:37. Two hundred denarii — at least six month’s wages.
6:41. This is not the only example of God miraculously feeding his people. Check Exodus 16 (manna in the desert); 1 Kings

17:7-16 (Elijah at Zarephath); and 2 Kings 4:1-7 (Elisha). Isaiah describes the ultimate feast that God will provide his people in 25:6.
6:45-52. Jesus walks on the water — Matthew includes this story but Luke does not.
Matthew follows Mark’s version at the beginning up to the point where Jesus tells the disciples “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.” According to Matthew, Peter then says to Jesus “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” And Jesus tells him to come: So Peter got out of the boat and started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus. But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord save me!” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “You truly are the Son of God!” Matthew closes the story with healings in Gennesaret, like Mark, [Mt 14:22-36].
John also includes this incident, [John 6:16-21]. He says the disciples went to the shore and started across. John says the disciples had rowed three or four miles when they saw Jesus and were terrified. John does not say the storm abated when Jesus got in, but immediately the boat arrived at their destination!
6:56. All . . . were healed — there is a clear difference between the attitude in Gennesaret and Nazareth (6:6), and in the results of Jesus’ presence and work.