First Sunday of Christmas. Year C 26th December 2021
Lectionary Readings: 1 Samuel 2 v18-20,26; Psalm 148; Colossians 3 v12-17; Luke 2 v41-52.
Nurture.
At the end of today’s reading from Luke’s gospel, Luke writes, ‘Jesus became wise’ (v52a).
Sure, Jesus became wise as he matured, but I don’t think he was wise at the age of twelve!
Jesus’ response to his anxious parents sounds callous – “Why did you have to look for me?” (v49a). Surely any twelve year old boy would understand his parents concern for his welfare after an unauthorised absence of five days?
Luke turns the response into a theological statement by recording Jesus as adding – “Didn’t you know that I would be in my Fathers house?” (v49b). And then suggests that Mary and Joseph did not understand what he meant (v50).
I am not surprised that they did not understand, most parents would be very relieved to find their missing son alive and well, then angry about his lack of thoughtfulness for them as parents. Luke does not record any apology from Jesus but he does go on to say that Jesus went back to Nazareth with his parents and obeyed them! (v51a); and that Jesus grew strong, God was pleased with him and so were the people. (v51b). An echo here of the words used to describe the young prophet Samuel. (1Samuel 2 v 26).
Jesus and Samuel were blessed with caring parents, both were cherished members of their family, both became a credit to their parents, both were used as channels of God’s love for us.
In the letter to Christians in Colossae, attributed to the apostle Paul, the writer says, God loves you and has chosen you as his own special people. So be gentle, kind, humble, meek and patient. Put up with each other and forgive anyone who does you wrong, just as Christ has forgiven you. Love is more important than anything else. It is what ties everything completely together. (Col. 3 v12-14).
Martin Leckebusch reflects on the nurturing nature of our Father God in the following hymn:
Lord, we turn to you for mercy: may our prayerful words express
something of our heartfelt sorrow for the sins we now confess.
We have trusted far too often in our human strength and skill;
we have proudly disregarded what we know to be your will.
Yet by your immense compassion you invite, accept, restore,
leading us to greater wholeness than we ever knew before.
Your forgiveness lifts our burdens, setting heart and spirit free
to fulfil our true potential, all that we we were meant to be.
For you teach a way of wisdom we may clearly understand:
walking with the God of mercy step by step, and hand in hand.
(Singing the Faith No 429)
Bible quotations are taken from the Contemporary English Version.