- Luke 2:25-38
- Matthew 2:13-23
The Hmns this Sunday are:
- 48 Hark the Herald Angels Sing
- 71 ‘Twas in the Moon of Wintertime
- 44 It Came Upon the Midnight Clear
- 43 Go Tell it on the Mountain
The Meditation title is The Shadow of Christmas.
Early Thoughts: Why hear these stories at Christmastime? Isn't Christmas happy and merry?
There is a shadow to Christmas. A shadow of death and a shadow of foreboding. MAtthew tells us the somewhat horrific tale of a slaughter of the innocents. And Luke has Simeon warning Mary that a sword will pierce her soul. They do seem like odd readings for the SUnday between Christmas and NEw Year's, a time when people are celebrating teh Holidays
BUt consider teh setting of the stories. THe Christmas story, teh JEsus movement, the Christian Story put out a challenge to those who use their power to rule over and tramp on others. Jesus is born into a world where dissent and opposition are dealt with violently and viciously.
There is in fact a somberness to the Christmas story when you think about it. Despite what some may wish, it is not just sweetness and light. THe Christmas story only makes sense when we remember the riskiness of the venture. CHristmas is about turning the world upside-down after all.
--Gord
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