December 27, 2020

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When they had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him. – Luke 2:39-40

Another Christmas has come and gone. This year, I think we shared a little more the hope of a salvation to come to us that others. We had a great hope that with the end of the year coming, there would be a pathway for us to overcome this pandemic, and life would get back to normal. We do have great hope in the vaccines that are rolling out, but we also know it could still be several months before many of us will have our chance to get one.

Even with hope, we still have the waiting.

At the end of Luke 2, after the glorious pronouncement from the angles, after the birth of the savior, after the earthly parents did what was required of them by the Jewish law, Luke tells us they simply went home. Even though so much had already be told about this child born in Bethlehem, Jesus was still a baby, he needed time and a place to grow up. Jesus needed the loving care of an earthly mother, and the tender support of an earthly father just as any of us.

It’s hard to imagine simply going home after something as spectacular as what these parents experienced, but home is also where Mary and Joseph wanted to be. It’s true, after a long journey there is no place like home.

For many of us home is where we have been since March, and at this point, we might actually think it’s be nice to get away from home for a bit. However, we remain there for now, waiting, hoping, and remembering – home is where the child grew, became strong, and was filled with wisdom.

As we turn our attention away from Christmas and towards a new year, let us work towards a deeper faith filled with the knowledge and wisdom of Christ, and find new ways to share in Christ’s love for all.

Grace & Peace,
Sam