All Saint's Day

Luke 2:1-20

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.


8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

14
“Glory to God in the highest,
    and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”
15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.



Mary
St Rita
St Catherine
Mother Theresa
The pulls of having a mortgage, child care

If I had to opt to pull to see one of them, as an example, my personal choice would be Mary.

St. Augustine said we all want to be the Book of Acts and if we take the 5 or so people God has given us, and love them - and believe in them.  And Love them. We have pleased God.

Jesus was not greatly thrilled Mary would rush in to bring Him home. But she did. And God won. God Bless Jesus and God Bless Mary.

Mary didn't want to push her family out. She went where God put her with His Blessings.

God could have picked any one in the Scriptures to be the Foster Father of Jesus and Mother of Jesus. He picked a very flawed couple setting out in a poor circumstance, relatively alone. God could have picked anyone to be the brothers of Jesus. He picked flawed people. God Bless God for picking the Good News of picking these 'people'. We can all use the message God picks flawed people.

Sometimes in life, there is a decision to be made. And you just wonder which way is the right path. I can picture a very wise teenage Jesus standing in a Nazareth evening, by a doorway, saying with complete certainty to sibling baiter, His Brother James, "Just ask God for wisdom - He will give Wisdom."

And God does.

Can you imagine being James talking to teenage Jesus. Jesus gave James many things to ponder in his heart.


God could have chosen Joseph, Vizier to Pharaoh to parent Jesus.
God could have chosen Daniel, adviser to Pharaoh to parent Jesus.
God could have chosen David. And He (probably wisely given David's parental batting average) did not. However, God Loved and adored David and would work within David's strengths. Strengths God placed in David to do his life.

Imagine how many people God could have deliberately picked to raise Jesus. And Father God deliberately picked the pulls and pushes of real family. Really annoying each other 'deciding' when Jesus should appear. Really rushing in to hush Jesus in hot water. Really gathering for a wedding. And when dust settles. Deciding they loved each other and still making familial history to the eyewitness of Eusebius of Caesarea in the 3rd Century - for loyalty.

God - proving once again - God picks like God Himself - Wisely.



Abba, Our Father,

The LORD bless us and keep us;
the LORD make His face to shine upon us and be gracious to us;
The LORD lift up His countenance, smile, upon us
and give us peace.

God shall put Jesus' name upon us,
and Abba will bless us.

In Jesus, Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †