Reflecting the Image (by Carla Sunberg)

Cooking with my granddaughters over the holiday. Scripture: Luke 2:39   When they had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. 40 The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him. Observation: These two little verses close the scene in the Temple. Mary and Joseph had been obedient to God, not from a legalistic perspective, but as participants in God’s work in the life of Jesus. Everything required by the law had been completed, and then some, including actions that would fulfill prophecy.   Luke skips some of the narrative found in Matthew’s gospel. He doesn’t include the wisemen, nor the trip to Egypt. He simply brings the birth story to a close with an emphasis upon the faithfulness of Jesus’ parents and the results that are seen in the life of the child. Earlier in the story, the dedication scene was reminiscent of Samuel, and now here in verse 40, and again in...

My brother, Kurt as a baby. There is great joy in meeting a baby, One can only imagine what Anna felt.  Scripture: Luke 2:36   There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37 then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped there with fasting and prayer night and day. 38 At that moment she came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem. Observation: While at the Temple, Mary and Joseph, along with the baby, encountered a woman, Anna. Her name is the Greek equivalent to the Hebrew name “Hannah,” who was Samuel’s mother. This visit to the Temple is reminiscent of Hannah’s dedication of Samuel in service to God, therefore, the presence of “Anna” at Jesus’ dedication is significant.   This woman was a prophet, and there are very few female prophets f...

A candle burning in the village of Nazareth.  Scripture: Luke 2:25     Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27 Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, 28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying, 29 “Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word; 30 for my eyes have seen your salvation, 31 which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.” Luke 2:33   And the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. 34 Then Simeon blessed ...

I didn't have a picture of two turtledoves, but this  chicken with her chicks is a good reminder.  Scripture: Luke 2:21   After eight days had passed, it was time to circumcise the child; and he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb. Luke 2:22   When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord”), 24 and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.” Observation: Luke’s narrative changes scenes and it is now eight days later and time for Jesus’ circumcision and naming. Then, we are taken to the moment of the purification. Interestingly, it’s only Mary who needs to be purified, but Luke tells us it was “their” purification, and that “they” brought th...

Ruins of the church in Ephesus named in honor of  Jesus' mother, Mary. It's believed that two church council meetings were held here.  Scripture: Luke 2:15   When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. 17 When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. Luke 2:21   After eight days had passed, it was time to circumcise the child; and he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb. Observation: The shep...

Grandson Theo in awe at outdoor worship this Christmas season.  Scripture: Luke 2: 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!” Observation: There is a sudden shift in the scene when no longer there is just one angel speaking to the shepherds, but the heavens appear to open up and there is an entire multitude of the heavenly host. We have no idea what this must have looked like, but if the shepherds were in fear over one angel, I can’t imagine what they must have felt at this moment.   The heavenly hosts are doing what they normally do — praising God! We find them later in the book of revelation, doing the same thing. Their praise gives glory to God in the highest heaven, but instantly connects the God of heaven to peace on earth. The language here has been debated, and throughout the centuries has been translated in different w...

Scripture: Luke 2:8     In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: 11 to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.”   Observation: Luke’s narrative now takes us outside the city of Bethlehem. While shepherds are often used as an analogy for those who lead the church, it appears that God had something else in mind by bringing the good news to these men. Shepherds were generally known as poor commoners, dirty and foul-mouthed, who smelled like the animals within their care. It is to these people that the angel of the Lord appears. This is...

A year ago today little Halston was born.  Scripture: Luke 2: 6 While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. Observation: Mary and Joseph have arrived in Bethlehem but the tiny town is now crowded by those who have arrived for the census. While this is the town of Joseph’s ancestors, no relative seems to have space for them. Hospitality was a normal part of Jewish culture, but in an overcrowded house, where was a young lady to deliver a baby? Often the “inn” referred to the main inner room of a home, which had a back area where the animals were kept. In the cooler months the body heat from the animals would help to warm the home. Imagine a room full of travelers with their things spread out on the floor and in walks a very pregnant young girl. I can imagine all of them pointing Mary and Joseph in the direction...