A gentle stirring in the night, deep within the maiden’s womb.

An overshadowing. In a world unseen by mortal eyes, a knitting together: Bone, sinews, eternal

Spirit. That which was from the beginning, eternally begotten, timeless...now

conceived. Supernatural hand withdrawn; nature accommodates. Cells divide

and divide again. Blastocyst becomes embryo and embryo a fetus. A quickening.

Messiah, cradled within the holy virgin.

Day gives way to day, week to week. A young soul magnifies the Lord and

rejoices in God her Savior. He who created all things, who fills the

universe...grows. Fateful day approaches. A decree, a census, a journey to

ancestral lands. The allotment of Judah, Bethlehem Ephrathah—house of

bread—home of kings.

It begins. Birth pangs, fear, shrieks in the night.

Shepherds tend their flocks. Angelic choirs assemble. Stillness—a quiet before

the storm shattered by an infant’s cry. Life and immortality.

A light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death.

Jesus, son of Mary. Word made flesh.

Ever wonder what may be the least respected profession in our society? Lawyers get teased quite a bit, but in reality, they are generally well respected. Federal employees also take quite a ribbing, especially those who work for the IRS, but again, many people would love to work for the government. There really are very few jobs in America that pay well that do not have thousands clambering to secure one. But in Jesus’ day there were many jobs that were looked down upon by the average Jewish man or woman. Working with unclean animals, carrying on a business that operated during the Sabbath, or working any job that assisted the dreaded Roman occupiers. All these professions were regarded as less than dignified in the Israel of Jesus’ day. Those who worked them despite the social stigma were often considered to be outright ungodly. No profession, however, received more hatred and loathing than the profession of a tax collector. These men were despised and rejected by mainstream Jews and were considered accursed. A tax collector could not serve as a witness in a Jewish court of law. They were expelled from the synagogue, and they and their families were subject to open ridicule. These realities notwithstanding, some Jews still took the job. Why? Because it paid, and more often than not, it paid handsomely.

Acts 21

Mary was born in the port town of Magdala on the sea of Galilee. She was a disciple and financial supporter of Jesus’ ministry, and one who had been delivered from demonic oppression through the healing ministry of Christ (Luke 8:2-3). We know precious little of her story, but we do know that she was brave enough, along with a few other women, on the Sunday morning after the Passover Sabbath that witnessed the crucifixion of Jesus, to make her way to his tomb in order to anoint his body with the ritual spices typical for a Jewish burial in her day. Jesus’ body had been hastily placed in the tomb that fateful Friday due to the approaching Sabbath, when the handling of a dead body would have been forbidden.

Acts 20

It got chilly at night this time of the year on the east side of the Sea of Galilee—the wind sweeping off the lake and over the rutted hills. The region was known as the Garasenes, but to the Jews it was simply no-man’s land. The Decapolis, Ten Cities, Gadara, it didn’t really matter what you called it, it was filled with Gentile sinners, pig herders, prostitutes, pagans and ne’er do-wells. Tonight, the wind was strong, bringing with it a sinister sound that sent deep chills down the backs of the residents of the small village of Gerasa. For tonight, as in numerous nights before, the sounds of wailing wafted through the crisp air, chains clanking, pierced by shrieks of agony. The man of the tombs was haunted tonight, and no one in town would sleep well.

Acts 19

There are a handful of recorded instances of Jesus inviting a person to be his disciple. There are also a few recorded instances of a person seeking to be a disciple and being told by Jesus that he/she cannot be his disciple (in the sense of following him at that moment) but should instead pursue a different course. Our reading for today is one of two instances where Jesus invited a person to follow him only to have that person choose a different path after the invitation was extended. It is a profoundly sad story, yet one in which there is a lesson for all of us.

Acts 18

KNOW: The apostle Paul was once a blasphemer and insolent opponent

of Jesus Christ. All that changed when Jesus met him. All that we once

were can be changed too.

DO: Receive every gift that Christ has for you through the Incarnation.

The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance,

that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of

whom I am the foremost. - 1 Timothy 1:15

Sermon Notes