When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born. “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written:

‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for out of you will come a ruler
who will be the shepherd
of my people Israel.’”

Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.”

After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.
Matthew 2:1-12

Meditation
What “stars” have you followed in your life, representative of your deepest desires and most passionate dreams?

Where have they led you?

Where are they leading you right now?

The Magi offered Jesus their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.  What gifts do you want to offer Jesus?

Sit down with Jesus and tell him.

So now we bow before you . . .
Even while we worship you, you sweetly receive your due—and you bless us too . . .

And here, my Jesu joy, I open my treasure box, to give you the best I have, one two three: Gold, which signifies your Kingship over us.  Gold—which is all my wealth, my properties, my world possessions—I place into your service, my Lord and King; for my attachment to you is greater than my attachment to things.

Incense, which signifies your divinity.  Incense—which is myself, my hands, my skills and all they can accomplish, my energies and purposes in this life—I offer to you as a living sacrifice, a sweet odor in your nostrils, my Lord and my God.  For it was you who knew me before I was born, and you who called me by my name.

Myrrh, which signifies your death.  With myrrh—which is my love, my pure unsentimental love for you—I will anoint your feet in the Lenten season.  With love will I, this year on Good Friday, cover you in your grace; and with love I’ll await your Easter resurrection!  Love sent you to me, my Savior.  I have no better gift than to love you back with all my heart.

And now I go again . . . It’s almost time to return to the cold, to the gray labors and long January of our lives.

But I have dreamed the dream of your coming again this year!  And I know good from evil, love from greed, truth from deceit.  Therefore I will not return to Herod, or any other king of power.  Not to arrogance or self-righteousness will I go, but only by the route you’ve shown me, Jesus: by the Way that you are.
Walter Wangerin Jr.

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What is Reclaiming Christmas?

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“Here is my servant, whom I uphold,
my chosen one in whom I delight;
I will put my Spirit on him
and he will bring justice to the nations.
He will not shout or cry out,
or raise his voice in the streets.
A bruised reed he will not break,
and a smoldering wick
he will not snuff out.
In faithfulness he will bring forth justice;
he will not falter or be discouraged
till he establishes justice on earth.
In his law the islands will put their hope.”
Isaiah 42:1-4

Therefore,
let us desire nothing else,
let us want nothing else,
let nothing else please us
and cause us delight except our Creator, Redeemer and Savior,
the only true God,
Who is full of good,
all good every good,
the true and supreme good,
Who alone is good,
merciful gentle, delightful, and sweet,
Who alone is holy,
just, true, holy, and upright,
Who alone is kind, innocent, clean,
From Whom, through Whom and in Whom
is all pardon, all grace, all glory
of all penitents and just ones,
of all blessed rejoicing together in heaven.
Therefore,
let nothing hinder us,
nothing separate us,
nothing come between us.
St. Francis of Assisi

Now, O Jesus, yet before the Christmas season is over, I come.
I come to honor you: the baby you at your mother’s knee; the human you, whose flesh is vulnerable to the troubles of this existence; the tender you, whose face reflects the feelings of people around you.
Walter Wangerin Jr.

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What is Reclaiming Christmas?

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As the race for the U.S. Presidency begins in earnest, many different “Jesuses” are going to be trotted out in attempts to justify a variety of political positions. In the acrimonious and contentious climate that now prevails in the political arena, those of us who claim to be Christians will be challenged this year to maintain a focus on what is real, what is true, and what does not change. Today’s devotional includes the following excerpt from the book of Isaiah, chapter 42: “Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him and he will bring justice to the nations. He will not shout or cry out, or raise his voice in the streets. A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out. In faithfulness he will bring forth justice; he will not falter or be discouraged till he establishes justice on earth.

I was reflecting on this passage of scripture in light of things I’ve been reading online and absorbing from other forms of media regarding the 2012 presidential campaign. Perhaps it’s just where I’m at these days, but I was struck by the personal nature of the excerpt above. We are told that God upheld (strengthened) Jesus and delighted in Him because He came to bring justice to the nations. In that regard, the passage is primarily about how Jesus would accomplish this…not through power or might, but through a faithfulness rooted in character. Based on the subsequent example of Jesus’ life (as set forth in the gospels), we are exhorted not to rely on shouting or crying out, or raising our voices in the street (today, the “online street”) – although occasionally this may be required. We are also exhorted not to break a bruised reed or to snuff out a smoldering wick. In practical terms, this means that we shouldn’t take advantage of the weaknesses and failings of others (Lord knows we all have them). These are practices that run contrary to our basic human nature – and no, I don’t believe that people are essentially “good”. Based on these reflections, I’m reminded this morning that justice is not something we do, but rather, it flows out of who we are.

For me, this is affirmed in the following excerpt from the writings of the prophet Amos:
“I hate, I despise your feast days, And I do not savor your sacred assemblies. Though you offer Me burnt offerings and your grain offerings, I will not accept them, Nor will I regard your fattened peace offerings. Take away from Me the noise of your songs, For I will not hear the melody of your stringed instruments. But let justice run down like water, And righteousness like a mighty stream.” (Amos 5:21-24, NKJV)

Do I care about my country, the course it’s charting for the future, and how it’s perceived in the world? Absolutely! Am I willing to shout down or belittle others whose views differ from my own, disrupt the lives of others to make a point, or take advantage of the weaknesses and failings of others to gain a “victory”? I sure hope not!

As I conclude this reflection, I’m struck by a sobering thought: if I allow myself to become a person who does those types of things in one area of life, do I really believe that the accompanying “attitude” I develop would be confined there? I have a pretty good idea what Jesus would say about that.

No longer need we pray, Come.
He has come. He is here.
The child, Christ: he grows in us.
We are his Nazareth.
Those who sought his life, though they killed him on the cross, failed in the end.  He rose.
And now he dwells in us.
We are his hometown, now.
Walter Wangerin Jr.

For I am convinced that
neither death nor life,
nor angels, nor rulers,
nor things present, nor things to come,
nor powers, nor height, nor depth,
nor anything else in all creation,
will be able to separate us from
the love of God
in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:38-39

Meditation
As you look at moments of your life, how do you feel about them?  What are the happiest?  What are the saddest?  How did they influence who you are today?  How was God present in each of them?  Do you think that God sees them the same way you do?

Now, close your eyes and imagine God’s face before you.  Look at the expression on his face.  Look into his eyes.  Let him look into your eyes.  And finally, imagine God smiling as he looks at you.  He takes great delight in you, his beloved one.  Don’t rush to move on.  Let yourself bask in the loving gaze of God.

Dear God, Lord of my life,
I sit in awe before the gaze of your love.
It is sometimes difficult to let you love me in this way.
I’m not used to its power and warmth.
But I want to let your love transform me so that I can become a better disciple,
a better companion of your Son Jesus.
Set me ablaze with the fire of that love.
Dan Schutte

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What is Reclaiming Christmas?

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Anna lived a small life.  She had a seemingly small ministry.  Mostly it was just between her and the Lord.  A ministry of worship, offering, praise and adoration, giving glory and honor to God’s name.  A ministry of fasting, self-sacrifice, and self-denial—“crucifying the flesh” (Galatians 5:29) by subjugating mere physical hunger to a much deeper spiritual hunger.  A ministry of prayer and intercession—crying out to God on behalf of her friends and family, the community, and the nation.

. . . The scripture tells us that God honors those who honor Him.  Is it any wonder that when He finally appeared in the flesh, He chose to reveal Himself to this woman?  He gave His servant Anna the privilege of living to see what men of old had died waiting for: the coming of the Messiah.

. . . If she had been twenty, Anna’s words might have been easily dismissed—a grand delusion or the illusion of an idealistic youth.  A sign of mental strain or instability.  Perhaps a foolish young woman’s attempt to gain attention and notoriety.  But at eighty-four, Anna was past all of that.  Her lifetime of faithful devotion could not be disregarded.  Her spiritual insight and wisdom could not be denied.  Now she had an audience, and it was time for her to speak.  Her testimony was not unlike that of the psalmist who wrote:

But as for me, I will always have hope;
I will praise you more and more.
My mouth will tell of your righteousness,
of your salvation all day long. . .
Since my youth, O God,
you have taught me,
and to this day
I declare your marvelous deeds.
Even when I am old and gray,
do not forsake me, O God,
till I declare your power
to the next generation,
your might to all who are to come.
Psalm 71:14-15a, 17-18

Anna’s place in Scripture takes up little more than three verses.  Yet the mention of her part in the Christmas story is extremely significant.  There is so much we can learn from her life, from her faithful heart.

. . . Sometimes a simple ministry—a quiet life of daily obedience—can be incredibly powerful.  We may not be able to establish wildly successful programs or organizations or outreaches.  We may not be able to travel overseas, preach to millions, or write best-selling books or popular praise songs.

But each one of us can worship.  Each one of us can fast and pray.  Each one of us can learn to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength.  We can minister to God Himself by devoting ourselves to Him, loving Him.
Christin Ditchfield

One thing I ask of the LORD,
this is what I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD
and to seek him in his temple.
Psalm 27:4

Meditation
Imagine being with Mary and Joseph that day as they dedicate Jesus in the temple.  Who else is there?  What do you see?  Then Anna approaches.  What does she look like?  What expression is on her face?  She is thanking God—overflowing with gratitude—as she speaks about the child.  Listen to her; how does she sound?  How does Anna’s reception of Jesus affect you?

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Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:

“Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,
you now dismiss your servant in peace.
For my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you have prepared
in the sight of all people,
light for revelation to the Gentiles
and for glory to your people Israel.”

The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”
Luke 2:22-35

Meditation
I am present in the Temple when Mary and Joseph present Jesus as an offering to God.

I imagine in detail the interior of the Temple—the entrances, the walls, the pillars, the altars.  I listen to the sounds . . . I am aware of the scents . . .

I allow myself to participate in the unfolding event.  I listen to everything that is being said.  I see the expressions and the gestures of each person.  I participate and respond from whatever moves inside of me.

I stay with Mary and Joseph and offer joy, gratitude, wonder and praise to God.

I ask for the grace to know and draw closer to Jesus.
Adapted from Jacqueline Syrup Bergan and Marie Schwan

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What is Reclaiming Christmas?

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And he gave him the name Jesus.
Matthew 1:25b

On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise him, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he had been conceived.
Luke 2:21

Jesus grew up during a time of resurgent “Jewish pride.”  In a backlash against the pressure to embrace Greek culture, families had recently begun adopting names that harked back to the times of the patriarchs and the Exodus from Egypt . . . Thus Mary was named for Miriam, the sister of Moses, and Joseph was named after one of the twelve sons of Jacob, as were Jesus’ four brothers.

Jesus’ own name comes from the word Joshua—“he shall save”—a common name in those days. . . .  Its very ordinariness, not unlike “Bob” or “Joe” today, must have grated on Jewish ears in the first century as they listened to Jesus’ words.  Jews did not pronounce the Honorable Name of GOD, save for the high priest one day a year, and even today Orthodox Jews carefully spell out G_D.  For people raised in such a tradition, the idea that an ordinary person with a name like Jesus could be the Son of God and Savior of the world seemed utterly scandalous . . .
Philip Yancey

Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.
Acts 4:12

Meditation
When you pray to Jesus, by what name do you call out to him?  By the birth name that Joseph gave him, as instructed by the angel Gabriel?  Or perhaps by that which he has become to you over time: Savior, Lord, Beloved, Friend?  Imagine yourself seated with Jesus in one of your favorite places, a place where you find it easy to relax.  Turn and face him.  By what name does he invite you to call him?

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John testifies concerning him. He cries out, saying, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’” From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God, but God the only Son, who is at the Father’s side, has made him known.
John 1:14-18

Let everyone examine himself in the light of the Gospel and see how far he is from Christ, and what is the character of his faith and love.  There are many who are enkindled with dreamy devotion, and when they hear of the poverty of Christ, they are almost angry with the citizens of Bethlehem.  They denounce their blindness and ingratitude, and think, if they had been there, they would have shown the Lord and his mother a more kindly service, and would not have permitted them to be treated so miserably.  But they do not look by their side to see how many of their fellow humans need their help, and which they ignore in their misery.  Who is there upon earth that has no poor, miserable, sick, erring ones around him?  Why does he not exercise his love to those?  Why does he not do to them as Christ has done to him?
Martin Luther

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.  You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.  I will be found by you, declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity.”
Jeremiah 29:11-14a

Meditation
As I begin, I become aware of the Lord present to me, looking upon me with love, desirous of speaking to my heart . . .

Prayerfully, I read Jeremiah 29:11-14.

I read the word of God, through the prophet Jeremiah, to his people in their time of exile.

Their hearts are heavy . . . Their nation, their temple, all that was dear to them, has been destroyed, and they are reduced to a helpless group of exiles, far from their home.  The present is dark; the future, too, seems without hope, and their exile continues . . . My heart, too, knows such time . . .

And in their hearts, in our hearts, is fear—fear that this has happened through our own fault, through our failure to love and serve the Lord as we were called to do . . .

My heart too is afraid . . . I too fear that I am not what I ought to be, that I fail the Lord,  Even in this time of prayer . . . will I respond to the Lord?

The Lord speaks to them . . . and the Lord speaks personally to my heart, here, in this moment of prayer.

“I know the plans I have for you . . . plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”  I feel my anxieties about the future, abut what lies ahead for me, about what will happen in my spiritual life, my prayer . . .

I know that my desire to grow in love is real, but I feel so weak, so helpless . . . and I am afraid.  But now I hear this word of the Lord to me: “I know the plans I have for you . . .”  I hear these words deeply, I read them, I reread them . . .

“You will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you.”  My heart lifts at this promise: “and I will hear you.”  Lord, now, today, I call upon you, I come to you, I pray to you . . .

“You will seek me and find me.”  I speak to the Lord of my greatest desire:  I seek you . . .  My heart opens as I hear your promise to me: and you will find me . . .

“I will restore your fortunes . . .”  A new hope . . . that my heart can truly change, can truly heal, can truly grow in love:  “I will restore . . .”

My heart lifts up as I hear the Lord speak these words personally to me . . . offering me new hope, new trust, as I live my calling in his service, as I look to what lies ahead . . .

I linger over these words, I read them, I hear the Lord speak to me.  My heart responds.

After the Prayer
– What word in this Scripture most spoke to my heart?
– What touched my heart in this time of prayer?
– What did my heart feel as I prayed?
– What did I sense the Lord saying to me?
Timothy M. Gallagher

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What is Reclaiming Christmas?

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As I reflect on my descent from the summit this week, I realize how easy it is to jettison all that was Christmas and jump right back into a life that’s completely in step with the surrounding culture. The new year is imminent and it’s time to make plans and resolutions…perhaps to chart an amended course for my life. At a time when they are probably most needed, many Advent devotionals are done - having finished on Christmas day. I don’t say this with a critical spirit; it’s simply that this year, I have truly appreciated the fact that Reclaiming Christmas runs through the traditional Feast of the Epiphany on January 6th.

Today’s devotional includes the following excerpt from the writings of the prophet Jeremiah, chapter 29: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” I’ve just come through a Christmas season in which I tried to focus on God’s provision, not on my own abilities or resources. However, no sooner did I begin my descent from the summit, then I found myself reverting to old practices and habits…my plans, my resolutions, what I’m going to do in the new year, etc. This morning, I’m reminded that the path of life I have freely chosen isn’t about MY plans. Am I willing to ”live into” God’s promise of a preferable future or will I impatiently seize control at the first sign of uncertainty or adversity? Only time will tell…stay tuned.

Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed heir of all things . . . He is the reflection of God’s glory and the exact imprint of God’s very being.
Hebrews 1:1-3

Meditation
Close your eyes and picture something beautiful that you saw today—something that bears the imprint of God.  Stay with that image and take in its goodness.  Allow your heart to be moved to praise God.  Tell God how grateful you are for the abundant goodness in your life.

. . . You came into the world.  You’ve come into my world!  You came once, surely: two thousand years ago.  But that has caused your coming still, daily, daily, morning by morning, for people like me.

And so I celebrated the feast of your Nativity this year with the softer passion of gratitude, and that—the gratitude itself—was proof of your presence.
Walter Wangerin Jr.

Christmas did not come after a great mass of people had completed something good, or because of the successful result of any human effort.  No, it came as a miracle, as the child that comes when his time is fulfilled, as a gift of the Father which he lays into those arms that are stretched out in longing.  In this way did Christmas come; in this way it always comes anew, both to individuals and to the whole world.

. . . When we are discouraged by the apparently slow progress of all our honest efforts, by the failure of this or the other person, and by the ever new reappearance of enemy powers and their apparent victories, then we should know: the time shall be fulfilled.  Because of the noise and activity of the struggle and the work, we often do not hear the hidden gentle sound and movement of the life that is coming into being.  But here and there, at hours that are blessed, God lets us feel how he is everywhere at work and how his cause is growing and moving forward.  The time is being fulfilled and the light shall shine, perhaps just when it seems to us that the darkness is impenetrable.
Eberhard Arnold

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What is Reclaiming Christmas?

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