Jesus is Presented in the Temple
Luke 2:22-40
by Larry Broding
NOTE: Photos are for illustration only and do not constitute part of the original content.
Opening Question: Describe the perfect family.
Everyone has an idea what makes up the perfect family. Some people think the perfect family has lots of money to spend and lots of time to spend with each other. But not everyone is rich. And most parents have to work.
Others think the perfect family is the where family members are involved in each other’s lives. Some families are sports families. Their dads and moms coach the teams their children are on..
Bridging Question: What was Christmas like? Did you have fun? What happened?
It was the day after Christmas. Dylan’s family were taking down the Christmas lights and decorations. He sat there sad that Christmas had come and gone so soon.
When his father began to take down the figures of Joseph and Mary by the baby Jesus, Dylan approached his father with a request. “Dad,” Dylan said,” can we leave the manger scene up just one more week? I just want everyone to know Christmas is still important.” Dylan’s father thought for a moment and agreed.
The next week, fewer and fewer houses had their lights on. But Dylan’s father still light the manger scene in front of the house. The stable’s white background lights and the front flood lights made Jesus, Mary, and Joseph glow. The straw and the animals sat by. And the Three Wise Men stood back in half shadows. All the people who passed by on foot or in their cars had different looks on their faces. Some had puzzled looks. Others just smiled…
Closing Question: How can you make Christmas last a little longer this year? How can you show others Jesus is the light of world?
SOURCE: Word-Sunday.com – All materials found in word-sunday.com are the property of Larry Broding (Copyright 1999-2022). Viewers may copy any material found in these pages for their personal use or for use in any non-profit ministry. Materials may not be sold or used for personal financial gain.
In A Father’s Love, fourteen year old David sets off to hunt the Christmas goose, a tradition that has been passed down from his grandfather to his father, and now to him. Unfortunately, his irritating little sister, Rose, has decided to join him. David just wants to find the geese, shoot one, and go home. But before the geese are spotted, David and Rose find themselves up a tree, hiding from an angry mother bear protecting her cubs. As night draws near, a heavy snow begins to fall and David and Rose fear for their lives. How can their father possibly find them in the dark and cold? How will they survive the night? Ultimately this beautiful story encompasses family love and the lengths all creatures will go in order to protect it.
The love of Joseph for God and God’s son, Jesus and his mother Mary spurs him on to do all that he can to protect the child and his mother. Joseph is attentive to the instruction God gives him in the dream, to take the child and his mother and flee to Egypt. This is very much an example of the sacrificial love that parents often enter into when caring for their children and spouses.
Think about the many small and large sacrifices that have been made for you on the part of your parents. In fact, there are probably a great many that you may not even be aware.
The text is based in a modified form of Chapters 1 and 2 of St. Luke’s Gospel and Chapter 2 of St. Matthew’s Gospel…
Most of the passages in this book will be familiar to readers. The translations of the Bible are simplified by the authors. I think the reason for this is that the writers are trying to create a literary flow in the text. This stylistic device creates harmony, but weakens some of the literalness of the text.
The pictures in the book are a combination of Old World masters and newer art forms. Both are effective. If you are looking for a book to read to your family on Christmas Eve, this text is worthy of consideration.
There are many outstanding picture books on the Birth of Jesus. It is a good idea to check them out early from the public library, as there is usually a waiting list. I hope you and all your family have a Merry Christmas.
SOURCE: Southern Nebraska Register, Catholic Diocese of Lincoln (The image and link to the video embedded above are not part of Terrence Nollen’s review.)
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