Luke 2

Jesus flips the script on his parents.

Mary gives us permission to pause and ponder what we hear.

Mary gives us permission to pause and ponder what we hear.

Anna and Simeon’s hope precedes their encounter with Jesus.

Luke insists that Jesus is a child of Israel.

Luke has some sense of how a baby can change everything.

Luke has some sense of how a baby can change everything.

Can we recognize Jesus' coming as good news?

Our busyness at Christmas hides God's busyness for us—but Luke's Gospel reveals it.

Our busyness at Christmas hides God's busyness for us—but Luke's Gospel reveals it.

On a shelf in our church library you can find a “Reading Guide” made by a fourth grader. It lists the types of books appropriate for different age groups and advises: “Remember--Kids (8-12) when you start the Bible, go at your own pace. It's a long book!”

Which mother, I wonder, has more heartbreak. Hannah sacrifices the dailiness of raising her first-born son. Mary keeps her son with her, but as he grows she can surely see that he is heading down a dangerous path.

There are many ways we receive the gift of Jesus badly.

Luke’s first two chapters are a metaphorical retirement home for elders who are “looking forward to the consolation of Israel.”

It is not as though Mary and Joseph have a choice.

Like Simeon and Anna, I had a rough Advent.