Have you ever tried to care for a swan? How about seven of them? Yes, this Sunday marks the 7th day of Christmas—and the swans are a swimming, geese are a laying, rings are shining, the birds are calling, hens are frenching, doves are turtling and the partridge is in the pear tree. Needless to say, by now you’ve likely sorted through your gifts and decided what ones to regift or return and which to keep; however, I can’t help but wonder what Mary and Joseph were thinking as they mused on the gift of the messiah? A gift that they never expected or asked for leading up to that first Christmas in a manger. 

Yes, there are some gifts that come with a little more work then they are worth, and whereas we are all incredibly thankful that the parents of Christ didn’t re-gift their divine son, with that God-given gift came a lot of work. The couple was happily engaged and life was flowing as it should be leading up to Mary’s initial angelic visitation, but did things ever get turned upside down! Just nine months later the unsuspecting bride-to-be was giving birth to a sought after son alongside a flock of sheep in the dark of the night. 

Our faith is a gift that comes with a price tag and life is a gift that comes at a cost. Is it worth it? We are just now wrapping up a season of gratitude and gifting in preparation for a deep dive into the new year, but have you taken time to pause and ponder the implications of the Christmas miracle? This Sunday I hope that you join us for a time of worship and reflection as we contemplate the crux of the Christ.

Shalom, 

Rev. Ryan Althaus

San Jose Presbytery Hunger Inclusion Affiliate and Author of the newly released novel, “The Expanse: Homos, Hobos and the Holy Hereafter.”

“Modern man is weighed down more by the burden of responsibility than by the burden of sin. We think him more a savior who shoulders our responsibilities than him who shoulders our sins. If instead of making decisions, we have but to obey and do our duty, we feel it as a sort of salvation.”

When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord”), and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”

Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what was customary under the law, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying,

“Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace,

according to your word,

for my eyes have seen your salvation,

which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,

a light for revelation to the gentiles

and for glory to your people Israel.”

And the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, “This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your own soul, too.”

There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped there with fasting and prayer night and day. At that moment she came and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.

When they had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom, and the favor of God was upon him.