Christmas II- Matthew 2: 19-23

This year, there is a Second Sunday after Christmas, a Sunday that does not occur every year and lacks a notable liturgical identity. Many service books, including some Books of Common Prayer, do not provide propers for the day, but the 1928 BCP does contain a collect and lessons. The Gospel from Matthew 2:19-23 refers to the sojourn of the Holy Family in Egypt and their return to the Holy Land, to Nazareth. 

It has been observed that here we see the Holy Family, and the Christ Child in particular, reliving the history of Israel. In re-reading this account, I was struck by the association of the names of the Holy Family with the Exodus. Saint Joseph bears the name of the patriarch who provided for the survival of Israel. The Virgin Mary's name is derived from the name of Miriam, the sister of Moses and Aaron, a prophetess. And of course, the name Jesus is a version of Joshua, the assistant and successor of Moses. His name means "the Lord saves."

So, the journey of the Holy Family and their names allude to a great new divine act of redemption. Christ's Birth, early life, ministry, death, and resurrection are parts of the same story. The Lord God saved and freed His people in Egypt, during the Exodus, and in their return to the Promised Land.  Through Jesus, who is the Christ, God is doing something that is both similar and much greater. The Incarnation is rooted in Israel's past, but it transcends that past. Jesus is the one who embodies eternal salvation. The true joy of Christmas is based on God's redemptive work in Jesus!

The Circumcision and Holy Name of our Lord- 1 January- Luke 2:21

 On the traditional church calendar, the first day of January is not observed as New Year's Day. In fact, for much of church history, even the secular or civil new year was not observed in January. When the early Books of Common Prayer were published, the civil new year was still observed on 25 March (and continued this way until the new British calendar in 1752). On the church calendar, January 1 is the eighth day of Christmas (the liturgical Octave), and this day recalls the circumcision and naming of the Holy Child in accord with Jewish tradition.

One finds an emphasis on the name in the traditional Gospel assigned on this day. Luke 2:21 states that at the circumcision, the child "was called Jesus, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb."  Jesus (Greek IESOU, Aramaic YESHUA) was a common Jewish name of the time, meaning "The LORD saves." In the case of this child, the common name has a special significance. This child born in Bethlehem is the divine Word incarnate who has come to save His people. Thus, the most appropriate way for us to begin a new year is to praise the holy name of Jesus and give thanks for the salvation that has come in the Christ Child!

Christmas II

 The Second Sunday after Christmas does not occur every year, and some years such as this year, Christmas II is the Eve of Epiphany. So this Sunday has not developed a clear liturgical identity. Medieval service books and the 1549 Book of Common Prayer did not have any propers for the day. The 1662 Book of Common Prayer simply directed the continued use of the propers from the Circumcision of Christ. The 1928 American BCP, like some others of that decade, provided a collect and lessons. This lovely collect is from a medieval Christmas liturgy, and the lessons are from older services for the Eve of Epiphany. The Gospel from Matthew 2 looks to the return of the Holy Family to Nazareth. In any case, on this day, we continue to celebrate the Birth of our Lord and look forward to His manifestation to the Gentiles.

The Collect for Christmas II:

ALMIGHTY God, who hast poured upon us the new light of thine incarnate Word; Grant that the same light enkindled in our hearts may shine forth in our lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

January 1- Octave of the Nativity- Luke 2:21

 Over the centuries, Christians have been uncomfortable with the celebrations of the new year on the first of January.  In order to avoid pagan associations, January 1 was not observed as New Year's Day in many parts of Europe between the fall of Rome and early modern times. On church calendars, this date has been associated with several liturgical observances over time. When Christ's Birth started being commemorated on 25 December, this eighth day of Christmas marked the end of Christmas week. There seems to have been an ancient Roman custom of emphasizing the role of Mary on this day, and in other parts of the Church, the Circumcision and Naming of Jesus were commemorated on this day. Since the 1970s, most Christians have focused on the Holy Name of Jesus. These associations are related to Luke 2:21 where we read. "And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called Jesus, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb."

Whatever Christian tradition we emphasize, the primary importance of the first of January is not some neo-pagan indulgence; it is a day to continue thinking about the Incarnation of the eternal divine Word as Mary's Son Jesus. This child born in Bethlehem is the Lord Himself, come to save His people. God's plan for human salvation is what gives this day and every day their true significance. So let us begin the New Year by praising God and giving thanks for the salvation that has come in the Christ Child!

First Sunday after Christmas- Matthew 1:18-25- St. Joseph

 The Gospel for the Sunday after Christmas is Matthew 1:18-25. This Scripture highlights the often neglected role of St. Joseph in the Incarnation. Of course, Jesus Himself is the focus and the Virgin Mary is the highly favored one. Yet, Joseph must not be forgotten. He is a great example of a godly and honorable man. 

In his initial response to the unique pregnancy of Mary, Joseph is a merciful traditionalist. He wants to follow the rules as kindly as possible. But Joseph is also open to change for a good purpose. He hears and heeds the divine call, and in response to God's message, he accepts his vocation with courage and commitment. He is supportive of Mary. He cares for the blessed spouse and for the holy child entrusted to his care.  After the visit of the Wise Men, he leads Mary and Jesus into exile for safety from Herod's cruel slaughter of the Innocents, and later he returns the family to a settled life in Nazareth. Joseph is involved in the religious life of the holy family, as shown in the pilgrimage at Passover when Jesus was twelve. Joseph probably also oversaw young Jesus' basic education in the Scriptures and seems to have passed on his practical carpentry or cabinet-making skills.

In these and many unknown ways, Joseph fulfilled his sacred vocation as a human father. For all those who are human fathers, grandfathers, uncles, or mentors, Joseph is a great example of true manliness. For all Christians, he is an example of love, religious duty, and self-sacrifice. May his example encourage us all in our devotion to and service to Christ!

Holy Innocents- 28 December- Jeremiah 31:15-17; Matthew 2: 16-18

 On the fourth day of Christmas (28 December), the traditional calendar of the Church tempers our naive tendencies in celebrating the Nativity of Christ. Matthew 2 tells us about the cruel act of Herod, so-called the Great. Fearing the threat of Christ to his worldly power, the king ordered the execution of male children in Bethlehem under two years of age.

So the Birth of Jesus was not all filled with kindly sentimentality. Despite divine intervention in human history, the forces of evil, destruction, and death were still at work. The Christ Child became the object of hatred, and an attempt to eliminate Him killed His innocent contemporaries. Although God has done much to redeem human beings, our world is still the same. Many people still oppose God and still destroy the innocent to preserve personal power, wealth, comfort, convenience, etc.

Nevertheless, the evil acts of Herod and his family did not succeed in destroying God's truth, love, and grace incarnate in Jesus Christ. Herod's kingdom faded away, but the work of redemption in Jesus Christ continued. And so it is to our day. There is much evil and innocent suffering in the world, but the Redeemer and His work are not destroyed. Christ lives and His work continues and will continue to the end of the age and beyond!

Circumcision of Christ- January 1- Luke 2:21

 Of course, the first day of January is the secular New Year, and we pray for God’s blessings during the year. However, because of worldly and pagan associations, Christian churches have often avoided giving much attention to the secular new year. So January 1 has other associations on the church calendar. One important association of January 1 is the event mentioned in the Prayer Book Gospel for the day, That event is the circumcision and public naming of the Christ Child when He was a week old.

Luke 2:21, points to this event. “And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called Jesus, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb."  The first part of the event is Christ's circumcision. The holy Child is a real Jewish boy whose pious parents make sure that He becomes part of the covenant people. He who is above the Law becomes subject to the Law to save human beings. He fulfills the Law perfectly and embodies the Gospel.

The second part of the event is the public naming of the Child. The Gospels stress that Christ’s name is no accident. In Matthew 1:21, the angel tells Joseph, " And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins."  The name Jesus comes from Hebrew and Aramaic names that mean "the LORD will save." The name Jesus reflects Christ's identity and purpose. It reveals His mission in the world. He is the Lord God who comes among us in the flesh. His name reflects Isaiah's prophecy that He is Immanuel, “God with us.” He is the one who saves.

So on January 1, we give thanks that Jesus Christ obeys and fulfills God’s Law for our sake. His circumcision and naming mark Him as the One who has come to fulfill the covenant promises in a perfect way. He was and is the Lord who saves!

Christmas I- Galatians 4: 1-7

On the First Sunday after Christmas, the Epistle from Galatians 4:1-7 might be considered St. Paul's Christmas Gospel because it refers briefly to the circumstances and meaning of Christ's Birth. In the fullness of time or at the appropriate time, God sent His Son into the world so that we might be adopted as spiritual children of God. The Incarnation has many rich meanings and associations. It has cosmic dimensions, and it has real human drama with earthy details. Yet, from the perspective of faith, Paul focuses on the personal application to our lives. The eternal Word, God the Son. took on human flesh in order to redeem human beings from their bondage to sin and death, Jesus Christ becomes one of us so that we might be freed to become sons and daughters of the heavenly Father. This message truly brings us good tidings of great joy.

The Circumcision and the Name of Jesus- 1 January- Luke 2:21; Philippians 2:9

The first of January has been associated with several liturgical observances in the history of the Church. From at least the 800's, the Roman rite commemorated Christ's Circumcision on this eighth day of Christmas. Books of Common Prayer from 1549 through 1928 in the US and 1962 in Canada continued this emphasis. Stressing Christ's circumcision fits in with the reality of the Incarnation. Jesus of Nazareth, God the Son, was a real Jewish male. He humbled Himself, continued the covenant with Abraham, Moses and David, and came to fulfill all righteousness. 

Another emphasis on this day is the name of Jesus. Some recent Anglican calendars have made this the title of the feast, but one also finds an emphasis on the name in the traditional Epistle and Gospel.  In the Epistle from Philippians 2:9, we read, "God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow..." In St. Luke 2:21 , we read that at the circumcision the child "was called Jesus, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb."  Of course, Jesus (Greek IESOU, Aramaic YESHUA) was a common Jewish name, meaning "The LORD saves." In the case of this holy child, the common name takes on special significance. This child born in Bethlehem is the Lord Himself come to save His people. And Christ's work in the heavenly Father's plan for human salvation is what gives Him a name above every name. What better way for us to begin the New Year than by praising His holy name and giving thanks for the salvation that has come in the Christ Child!

The Best Part of Christmas

Of course, the great celebrations of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are beautiful and impressive. They emphasize the majestic and glorious aspects of the Incarnation. The Prayer Book feasts of St. Stephen, St. John, and Holy Innocents highlight important realities and theological themes.  They remind us of sacrifice, martyrdom, and divine love incarnate. Yet, for me personally, the other days of the Christmas Octave often seem to be the best part of Christmas.

As the year closes, the bustle has diminished, eating a lot is no longer expected, and the Daily Offices and Eucharists can embody a quieter sense of devotion and joy over the Birth of our Saviour. In Morning Prayer, the antiphon still calls us to adore Him. The Te Deum embodies the Creed in a powerful and wonderful form of praise, and the Benedictus has even greater meaning in retrospect than it did before the Nativity. In Evening Prayer, we think of the holy night. The Magnificat has a new and deeper application as we think of the Blessed  Mother with the Holy Child, and the Nunc Dimittis points us to true peace in Christ's light. In the Eucharist, the daily repetition of the Christmas Collect and the Proper Preface for Christmas drive home the true significance of the celebration, and the Gloria in Excelsis seems more than ever the song of the angels. The message of divine grace and love enters into our hearts more strongly.

There are indeed many lovely and important aspects of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, the Octave, and the Twelve Days. There are pretty carols, candles, vestments, flowers, and greenery. There are important themes and great services. I am not denying or ignoring the role of those things. Yet for me, these quieter times of devotion help to elevate a sense of divine joy above mere holiday merry-making. May the good tidings of great joy of the Saviour remain with us past the Octave and into the New Year. Christmas is not over; its true significance is just beginning to sink in- and it should continue to come into our hearts again and again throughout the church year.

St. John Apostle and Evangelist (Christmas I)

Today is the Feast of St. John, Apostle and Evangelist. John is certainly an important New Testament person and writer. He was the son of the fisherman Zebedee, and younger brother of the Apostle James. John, his brother James, and Simon Peter were often together and seem to have been the disciples closest to our Lord. In fact, John himself is usually identified as the beloved disciple to whom our Lord, while on the cross, entrusted His mother.

John may have been the youngest of the Twelve, and as hinted in today’s gospel, despite hardships, imprisonment, exile, and threats to his life, John was the only Apostle to survive to a truly old age and die a natural death. Because he lived so long, John provided the strongest personal connection between the first and second century churches. He also wrote the Gospel and three epistles that bear his name and probably also the Revelation or the Apocalypse.

St. John clearly deserves to be remembered and honored. But why today? Why is his day placed so close after Christmas Day? The Church seems to have had three reasons for this choice. First, in the early centuries of the Church, several commemorations that stressed something about the foundations of the Christian faith were placed on the calendar right after the celebration of Christ’s Birth. Secondly, having several important Christian celebrations during the pagan winter festivals of late December gave believers a positive distraction from surrounding pagan celebrations.

The third and most important reason for remembering St. John on the third day of Christmas is that John’s writings contain several themes associated with Christmas: light, life, love, truth, and the glory of the eternal Word, God the Son, revealed in human flesh. The Gospels of St. Matthew and St. Luke tell us some details about Christ’s Birth. The Gospel of St. John and his letters emphasize the doctrinal meaning of the Nativity. Thanks be to God for the apostle John and even more importantly, thanks for the Incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ!

Te Deum

As Christmastide draws to a close, it strikes me that one of the great things about the season is saying the Daily Office with the Te Deum. Of course, this canticle is said at other times, but its beauty and meaning are highlighted for me after its absence during Advent. Regardless of who wrote it and despite any translation issues in some versions, this magnificent creedal hymn brings home the truth of the Incarnation. It also gives me the sense of joining in with 15 or so centuries of the faithful. And although I haven't heard it sung for a while, it still echoes in my head as it was beautifully and prayerfully done by small choirs in the days of yore. It has aided my appreciation of the faith "of the holy Church throughout all the world."

Second Sunday after Christmas

This Sunday which only occurs four out of seven years has tended to be neglected. Christmastide is winding down, and Epiphany is not yet here. The collect and lessons reflect this interim quality. The collect refers to the light of the Incarnation and moves on to the light shining forth in our lives. The Gospel continues from the account of Holy Innocents in St. Matthew 2. It reminds us of the dangers to the Christ Child from worldly rulers. And this in turn leads us to another aspect of His humility, growing up in a Galilean village rather than in a royal Judean city.