Sunday, December 27, 2015 | Christmas
First Sunday after Christmas: Holy Family
Year C
Old Testament 1 Samuel 2:18–20, 26
New Testament Colossians 3:12–17
Gospel Luke 2:41–52
On Christmas Eve, I asked the question, “Where is the Messiah?” Just where is Jesus in this world around us. Even when Jesus was a boy, his parents could not find Jesus. They were asking where Jesus is.
I remember a story that my mom would tell my sister and I. I am not sure if she told us because it was funny or if it was as a warning. When my mom was very young, she and her parents would go on driving trips or vacations. I don’t recall which it was, but the place of the story takes place a long way from home.
When my mom would get back into the car after stopping for meals, potty stop or from the rest area, she would pretend that she was not in the car. My mom would find a blanket or something to hide under, and her parents would pretend along with her, that she was not in the car. They would put on fake worry and all sorts of little jabs at their daughter. Then all of a sudden she would appear.
One day while on one of these trips, her parents got back in the car, and pretended not to see her and continued with the jabs. As I recall, it was about 30 minutes before they realized that my mom really was not in the car.
Obviously they found her okay, otherwise I would not be standing here today. Can you imagine the panic they must have had when they realized their child was missing? My mom was just where she was to be, she had not got in the car, so she was just where she had been left. It was not a matter that her parents did not care, it had become their norm.
Mary and Joseph travel to Jerusalem with Jesus, to celebrate the Passover and partake in the festival while in Jerusalem. Let me set the stage a little bit further. The Passover and festival would have attracted a lot of people. Kind of like a county fair would attract many people. During Jesus’ time, travel for such occasions as the Passover, would have been done with others. Most likely there was many relatives and friends that travel with.
Kind of how you might attend the county fair. You might not go just solo but take some family and friends, so you could share in the experience. You have people to talk with on the ride to the fair. You have people to experience the fair with and eat food with.
Also, let’s face it, there is safety in numbers. The same would have been true during Jesus’ time. Besides, it might be more fun than just sticking with your immediate family.
With all the relatives and friends around, Jesus most likely did not hang out with mom and dad all of the time. I know at 12, I did not want to hang out with my parents. Come on, my aunts and uncles and even my grand parents would have been more fun.
The festival and Passover is over and Mary and Joseph head back home. They again travel in their group, with the family and friends. I suspect there is an assumption on their part, that Jesus was traveling with someone else in the caravan. When they noticed Jesus is not with anyone of the caravan, Mary and Joseph return to Jerusalem. They search for three days before finding Jesus.
It may seem a little snarky on Jesus’ part when He says to his parents, when they do find him, “Why were you searching for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?”[1] Mary and Joseph don’t get it, but we have the benefit of time and the Bible. Yes, of course Jesus was in the Temple. He is the Son of God after all. What more perfect place to wait for Mary and Joseph to show up.
Jesus is twelve, not just yet of age for the Bar Mitzvah. It is at the age of 13 that Jewish boys participate in their Bar Mitzvah. This is when they become obligated to observe the commandments. Prior to this age they are instructed in the commandments and encouraged to follow but not obligated. The bar mitzvah ceremony formally, publicly marks the assumption of that obligation, along with the corresponding right to take part in leading religious services, to count in a minyan (the minimum number of people needed to perform certain parts of religious services), to form binding contracts, to testify before religious courts and to marry.[2] The Bar Mitzvah marks the time of becoming an adult, much like the Christian Confirmation does in the church.
Jesus, at twelve, is sitting around with the teachers asking and answering questions to such a degree, that all were amazed. Jesus was with His people, the Jews, since he was Jewish but even more than that, he was with God’s people in the Father’s house, Jesus’ house. Jesus was among the people and with the people.
Have you lost Jesus? Are you afraid that you may not be able to find Him? Do you know someone who seems to have lost Jesus? Maybe they know it and just cannot seem to find Jesus today.
Where is Jesus today? If you were here on Christmas Eve, raise your hand. If you know where Jesus is, keep your hand up. If you still have your hand up, on the count of 3, I want you to speak loudly and tell everyone where Jesus is. Exactly, Jesus is inside of each and everyone of us, Jesus is present here and now.
We do not need to search three days to find Jesus. Just look to your neighbor, Jesus is there. Now that you know where Jesus is, do not hide Him. Let His light shine. Reach out to everyone, proclaim the good news, be the light to the nations and show and tell people where Jesus is and what Jesus does for all people.
We have the responsibility, either through our confirmation or by virtue of our age and faith, to be the light to the nations. This is our calling. There is so much darkness in the world and we need to be part of Jesus’ light to the world to spread the gospel to all we encounter.
The Light has come into the world, go tell the good news to all. Jesus Christ has been born! Hallelujah!
Amen
[1] The Holy Bible: New Revised Standard Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1989), Lk 2:49.
[2] Douglas Dill, Bible Reading. Sermons 2014.