Christmas

Jan 24 2025

Scripture Study for

In the time of Isaiah, messengers carried their proclamations from one post to another on foot. The messenger in this passage brings “glad tidings,” which will be rendered a couple of centuries later in the Greek translation of Isaiah as euangelion. The “good news” is that the Exile has come to an end and the sovereign God who defeats all enemies intends to bring salvation and restore the people. The watchmen in Jerusalem see not only the messenger but also the salvation itself, very likely a reference to returning Israelites heading toward the city. Such is the power and goodness of Israel’s God that all nations will see and admire it.

The Letter to the Hebrews focuses on the unique accomplishment of Jesus Christ. Because he is not only God’s Son and heir, but especially “the very imprint of his being,” Jesus has revealed God more clearly and fully than had the earlier prophets. Whereas in the past God had provided for the broken human condition by legislating repeated purification from sin, now God has provided a fuller and final purification through a great High Priest (Hebrews 4:14–5:10; 7:1–8:6). Finally, as God’s Son and heir, Jesus reigns with God in heaven. As God’s equal, he is therefore also worthy of the worship of all creation.

The beginning of John’s Gospel emphasizes two themes. The first has to do with the person of Jesus as the “true light . . . coming into the world.” As he comes into the world, Jesus, as God’s Word, brings with him the very presence of God: life and light, grace and truth. In other words, as God coming to dwell among us, Jesus brings every good thing that God has to offer the human race, and to creation as a whole. The second theme is the rejection by the world of its very source and life. When the Word comes into the world, the world the Word created, it either cannot or will not recognize him, or at least some in the world have not recognized him. These two themes of presence and rejection will develop throughout the Gospel.

Jan 13 2025

God’s Last Word

A recent movie called The Messenger tells the story of two soldiers on duty to inform next of kin about the death of a loved one in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. It poignantly portrays not only the grief that this word brings to families and loved ones but also the sorrow of those who have to deliver it.

Today’s readings remind us that both those who deliver and those who receive the word of God about Jesus are entrusted with something that is lifegiving. Isaiah’s messenger carries word of a birth that brings joy, hope, and song, so much so that the very feet that deliver this message are declared blessed. It is not dif

ficult to see why this reading was chosen for Christmas.

God’s own Son is the message sent to us in the fullness of time. While God is portrayed as One who turned to words from the very beginning of creation—“Let there be light”—and while God continued to speak to Abraham, Moses, and the prophets, this speech was partial and fragmentary, often seeming more like a bad connection on the receiving end for all it was listened to.

But in Jesus the Word became flesh and took up residence among us, truly one of us and truly God. The magnificent concerto that is the Prologue of John rings out in three movements, proclaiming the Word present at Creation as the Word enfleshed in Jesus of Nazareth, and finally as the Word that continues to be born in us who by baptism have received a share in his fullness.

Consider/Discuss

What does calling Jesus the Word of God tell me about God? • How does accepting Jesus as God’s Word have an impact on my/our lives?

Responding to the Word

We pray that we might first hear the Word that is Jesus, then that we might understand this Word, and finally that we might live out of our understanding. We pray that this Word may so imprint itself on our minds and hearts and souls that when we speak, others hear the spirit of Jesus singing its love song to the world.

Jan 13 2025

Scripture Study for

The proclamation of good news from Isaiah is dramatically portrayed in several ways. It begins with a sketch of a messenger running swiftly over the mountains with the message of peace and salvation. The people to whom the messenger runs have been desolate for so long, waiting for a ray of hope. The messenger announces that God has won victory and the people can now begin anew. Then the very ruins of the city are called on to break forth in song. Peace is no longer a hoped-for dream, nor is salvation only a promise for the future. They are now accomplished facts for which to rejoice.

The confessional hymn celebrated in the reading from Hebrews proclaims that Christ is the agent of revelation, creation, and salvation. It begins with a comparison of the ways that God communicates with humankind. In the past, God spoke to the ancestors through the prophets; in the present, God speaks a definitive word to the believers through God’s own Son. Since this Son is also the Wisdom of God, it stands to reason that he would be superior even to the angels. As the agent of salvation, he sits enthroned in the place of greatest honor, at the right hand of God.

The Gospel of John begins with one of the most profound statements about Jesus found in the entire New Testament. Its lofty Christology is comparable to that found in the reading from Hebrews. Both characterize Christ as preexistent and as an agent in the creation of the world. However, the Word of God, who is also the holiness of God and the wisdom of God, now dwells in the midst of humankind. While the Word is the true light that comes into the world, John is merely the witness who testifies to the authenticity and superiority of this light. Women and men have been transformed by the love that first prompted God’s revelation and Christ’s incarnation.

Jan 07 2025

Scripture Study for

Traditional biblical wisdom holds that order and stability promote human flourishing. Here the focus is on family roles and what is due to each member of the household: Duty toward parents is a common Wisdom trope, appearing often in Proverbs. Sirach reflects in particular on the challenge of dealing with an elderly parent, and closely binds duty toward God with honoring parents. It is God who set the father and mother over the family; honoring one’s parents brings favor from God. At the same time, the language of comfort, consideration, and kindness points to a sense that caring for one’s parents is ultimately grounded in basic human decency as much as the hope of divine reward.

The emphasis in the second reading is on decent behavior toward all, which reflects one’s experience of having been transformed by Christ. Precisely as “God’s chosen ones,” who have put away “earthly” vices (Colossians 3:5–10) and been transformed in Christ, Christians should behave in a manner that reflects the character of God, who is compassionate, patient, forgiving, and loving. Marked by these traits, those gathered around Christ support each other, learning together from him and strengthening each other through admonishment, common worship, and especially gratitude. In the final section the writer exhorts his listeners to honor the family order as ordained by God. Christian family life also is to be marked by mutual care, without bitterness, provocation, or discouragement.

In the Gospel reading, Joseph fulfills his duty as protector of God’s Son and his mother. Jesus’ vulnerability is highlighted by six references to him as “child.” Prompted three times, Joseph responds with quick obedience. Not only does Joseph lead mother and child away from danger, his actions also allow for the fulfillment of prophecy. The more significant of these is the first, from Hosea (11:1), which refers to the redemption of Israel, God’s son (Exodus 4:22), from Egypt. It is applied now to Jesus, God’s Son, as exemplar and perfect representative of Israel.

Jan 07 2025

The Eyes Have It

I never get quite enough Christmas. Liturgically, this week we are still singing Christmas songs. Poinsettias still decorate the altar. Yet we have already abandoned the infancy stories. In today’s reading, Joseph uproots his family to flee to Egypt to keep the holy child safe. Does the glow of “Silent Night, Holy Night” have to dissolve into the shadows quite so quickly?

Jesus was born into a messy world. In my mind, I know that. In my heart, I don’t want that.

A glimmer of insight came to me when I noticed a painting by Federico Barocci. In the Rest on the Flight to Egypt (c.1570), Mary sits in the center of the Holy Family. She looks to the left, as though to draw attention away from herself. St. Joseph hovers above her. He reaches out his fingers to place a twig into the fist of Jesus, a chubby toddler. The leading line in the painting is that connection between father and son. The dawning sun rises in the background. That light is reflected in the bearded man’s eyes as they shimmer with tenderness for the child. The eyes of the baby gleam back with love. A placid donkey looks on. Had they just barely escaped Herod’s bloodbath? Is there anxiety in Joseph’s heart? This paints a picture of calm. Jesus doesn’t look old enough to talk, but he shoots Joseph a playful grin as though to say, “Daddy, don’t worry. We are here together.”

In mutual love, there is calm amidst the messiness—holy rest, Christmas peace. It doesn’t fade away. We find it in family. We find it in friendship. We find it in the solidarity of community. We find it in Jesus’ gleam: “Don’t worry. We are in this together.”

Consider/Discuss

We yearn for peace, but life can be messy. What is in Jesus’ eyes when he looks at us? How can we be enveloped by Christmas peace through that loving gaze?
Much of togetherness is communicated with the eyes, both in family relationships and in friendship. Storytellers suggest looking at people with two seconds of loving eye contact. Try that tender attention this week and see how family and friends respond.

Living and Praying with the Word

Jesus our Savior, you lived through all of the messiness of human life. You know more of trauma than we could ever imagine. Yet you have not abandoned us. You are here. You are with us. Help us to put on heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, and love, especially in our families. Strengthen the bond of perfection in all of our relationships. This flight of faith is challenging. We cannot do it without you. Thank you for abiding with us and surrounding us with your gleam of love.