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Lectionary Notes - 1st Sunday After Christmas,
12-28-03
(see
sermon for this text)
Readings for 1st Sunday after Christmas, 12/31/06:
1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26, Psalm
148, Colossians 3:12-17, Luke 2:41-52
1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26:
- V. 26, “Now the boy Samuel
continued to grow both in stature…” Compare this to the description of John
the Baptist in Luke 1:80 – “The child grew and became strong in spirit…” and
of Jesus in Luke 2:52 – “Jesus increased in wisdom and in years and in divine
and human favor.” These statements seem to indicate a child marked by God, for
some special/divine purpose.
- V. 18-20 – Samuel’s mother,
Hannah, played such an important role in her son’s life. Remember that it was
her prayers during a time of barrenness that brought to her the gift of
Samuel, and she promised to give Samuel as a servant to God if she was able to
bear a son. Her faithfulness continues to God indirectly through service to
her son. In other words, how we care for others links to how we care about
God, and is ‘credited’ to us as service to God.
Psalm 148:
- Praise, praise, praise!
That’s the theme of this psalm. This psalm has beautiful imagery about
creation – it is not just that humans praise God or even praise God for the
gift of creation. It is creation itself that praises God for it’s own
existence. “Praise [God], sun and moon; praise him all you shining stars!”
- This image sort of reminds
me of “The Lion King” when all the animals come to see the new baby Simba be
‘baptized’ – all creation is joining in. What a picture!
- Creation is commanded by the
psalmist to give praise because of its existence. Do we require more of
God to give God praise? Do we only feel like praising when things are going
our way or when we’ve received some desired request? Or do we praise because
we are, because we have being?
- V. 11-12 say that Kings and
the regular people, rulers, young men and women, old men and women, all
should praise together. Is that a good picture of worship today? How do we
worship together from different walks of life? Who is missing from this full
picture in our own congregations?
Colossians 3:12-17:
- This is a popular favorite
scripture passage, not only from Colossians, but from the whole Bible. It’s a
picture of a community’s way of living in Christ, and it’s an ideal we
probably all seek.
- “God’s chosen ones” – from
the Greek “eklektoi”, meaning literally ‘say out’ but translated as ‘chosen
out’ or ‘selected.’ (Humorously, the verb form can mean “to pull out one’s
gray hairs”!!!)
- Images of clothing
ourselves, with compassion, kindness, humility, etc. Compare this to
imagery of clothing ourselves with the armor of Christ that we find in
Ephesians 6. Also, this metaphor loses some of it’s punch if we think about
today’s clothing styles. But imagine something from biblical times, long and
flowing robes, draped over the body in folds, and you get a different idea of
how this “clothing ourselves” can function.
- “Let the word of Christ
dwell in you richly.” The word dwell comes from the Greek “enokeito”,
which does simply mean “live in” or “dwell” as translated, but it is a word
used for people living in a house, not Christ’s word. Paul is suggesting that
Christ’s word come to live with you, to be as much a part of your life and
your home as your children or spouses or parents are.
Luke 2:41-52:
- This is the only canonical
story we have of Jesus from the birth narratives in Luke and Matthew until
Jesus begins his ministry around age 30. Why is it included? What else
happened to Jesus in his childhood, his teenage years, his twenties? These are
questions people wonder and dream about.
- I think of the series
“Smallville” on the WB – the account of Clark Kent/Superman’s high school
years, previously unknown to us. This is what we wish we had of Jesus – a way
to learn about all the things that went into shaping who he became as an
adult.
- “Assuming that he was in the
group of travelers, they went a day’s journey.” It’s hard to imagine parents
traveling a day without knowing for sure where their 12 year old was. This
let’s us know we have a disconnect between today and Jesus’ day in terms of
customs about travel, child care, community relationships, etc.
- Probably this story is
included mostly to illustrate Jesus’ already divine nature, the fact that he
was already set apart even at a young age.
- “His mother treasured all
these things in her heart.” Imagine being the parent of one like Jesus, and
trying to let go of the usual ways that you would act toward a child in order
to let something greater take place. Today’s lectionary features the acts of
two mothers: Hannah and Mary. We also have to let go of things in our lives in
order to let God’s greater purpose be at work in our lives.
Pastor’s Note: (I use the Greek-English Lexicon from
Liddell and Scott, the “little Liddell” and the Metzger et. al Greek New
Testament in my translation work.)
Lectionary Notes are from the Lectionary Chat Group Bible
Study of
St. Paul's UMC, Oneida, NY.
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