CHRISTMAS (6)

THE BOY JESUS IN THE TEMPLE

Luke 2:39-52

New International Version (NIV)

Jesus Returns to Nazareth

³⁹ When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth. ⁴⁰ And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him.

Jesus Celebrates the Passover

⁴¹ Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Festival of the Passover. ⁴² When he was twelve years old, they went up to the festival, according to the custom. ⁴³ After the festival was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. ⁴⁴ Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. ⁴⁵ When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. ⁴⁶ After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. ⁴⁷ Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers. ⁴⁸ When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.”

⁴⁹ “Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” ⁵⁰ But they did not understand what he was saying to them.

Jesus Grows in Wisdom

⁵¹ Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart. ⁵² And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.

There are seventeen explicit references to the Holy Spirit in Luke, stressing His activity both in the life of Jesus and in the continuing ministry of the church.

    First, the Holy Spirit’s action is seen in the lives of various faithful people connected with the births of John the Baptist and Jesus (1:35,41,67; 2:25-27), as well as in the fact that John fulfilled his ministry under the anointing of the Holy Spirit (1:15). The same Spirit enabled Jesus to carry out His messianic role.

2:40 Luke emphasizes the complete humanity of Jesus.

2:41 Jewish law required that males attend the feasts of Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles (ex.23:14-17, Deut.16:16).

2:42 At the age of 12 a Jewish boy became "a son of the Law" and began to observe the requirements of the Law.

2:44 Company: Villagers who made pilgrimages to Jerusalem usually traveled in caravans, with women and children in the front. Each parent thought Jesus was with the other.

2:49 Jesus shows an awareness of His unique relationship to the Father, as well as a consciousness of His mission.

2:51 Even as the Son of God, Jesus remained under the care and of His earthly parents.

Playwright Janet Irene Thomas

Founder/President/CEO

Bible Stories Theatre of

Fine & Performing Arts

www.biblestoriestheatre.org

info@biblestoriestheatre.org

CARROT, EGG OR COFFEE BEAN ??

A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up. She was tired of fighting and struggling.

Her mother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water. In the first she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs, and in the last she placed ground coffee beans.

She let them sit and boil without saying a word. In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners. She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl.

Turning to her daughter, she asked, "Tell me, what do you see?"

"Carrots, eggs, and coffee," she replied.

She brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they were soft and mushy. She then asked her to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hardened egg. Finally, she asked her to sip the coffee.

The daughter smiled as she tasted its deep flavour and inhaled its rich aroma. The daughter then asked, "What's the point, mother?"

Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity - boiling water - but

each reacted differently. The carrot went in strong, hard and unrelenting. However, after being subjected to the boiling water, it became weak. The egg had been fragile. Its thin, outer shell had protected its liquid interior, but after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened.

The ground coffee beans were unique, however. After they were in the boiling water they had changed the water.

"Which are you?" she asked her daughter. "When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg, or a coffee bean?"

Think of this: Which am I? Am I the carrot that seems strong? But with pain and adversity, do I wilt and lose my strength? Am I the egg that starts with a malleable heart, but changes with the heat? Did I have a fluid spirit but, after a death, a breakup, a financial hardship or some other trial, have I become hardened and stiff? Does my shell look the same, but on the inside am I bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and a hardened heart? Or am I like the coffee bean? The bean actually changes the hot water - the very circumstance that brings the adversity, the pain, the hardship – into something quite wonderful. When the water gets hot, it releases its fragrance and flavor. If you are like the bean, when things are at their worst, you get better, and change the situation around you for the better.

When the hours are the darkest and trials are their greatest do you elevate to another level? How do you handle adversity?

ARE YOU A CARROT, AN EGG, OR A COFFEE BEAN?

(Somehow, wake up and smell the coffee 

takes on a whole new meaning)

                                                              -Author Unknown

Submitted by: Playwright Janet Irene Thomas
Founder/CEO Bible Stories Theatre of
Fine & Performing Arts
www.biblestoriestheatre.org
info@biblestoriestheatre.org

THE CHRISTMAS STORY - 5

JESUS and the ASTROLOGERS

Matthew 2:11

New International Version (NIV)

11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.

 Jesus and the Astrologers

A number of men come from the East. They are astrologers – people who claim to interpret the positions of stars. While they were at home in the East, they saw a new star, and they have followed it hundreds of miles to Jerusalem. 

When the astrologers get to Jerusalem, they ask: "Where is the one born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when we were in the east, and we have come to do him obeisance."  When King Herod at Jerusalem hears about this, he is very upset. So he calls the chief priests and asks where the Christ is to be born. Basing their reply on the Scriptures, they answer. "In Bethlehem." At that Herod has the astrologers brought to him and tells them: "Go make a careful search for the young child, and when you have found it report back to me, that I too may go and do it obeisance." But, actually, Herod wants to find the child to kill him!

MATTHEW AND LUKE - TWO SCRIPTURE ACCOUNTS

A comparison of the two Gospel narratives makes it clear that the visitation of the Wise Men fell on a later date than that of the shepherds. The latter took place immediately after the Nativity (see Luke 2:11, 15, and 16, "is born .... this day," "let us now go," "and they came with haste"). On the other hand, when the Wise Men came to Jerusalem, Christ was already born (Matthew 2:1). Time was required for this journey to Jerusalem and the consultation of Herod with the chief priests (Matthew 2:4); and during this interval the events recorded in Luke 2:8-39 had taken place. That there was adequate time for this is confirmed also by the fact that Herod's decree was directed against children up to two years of age (Matthew 2:16).

After they leave, an amazing thing happens. The star they had seen when they were in the East travels ahead of them. Clearly, this is no ordinary star, but it has been specially provided to direct them. 

The astrologers keep following it until it stops right above the house where Joseph and Mary are staying.

When the astrologers enter the house, they find Mary and Joseph with their young child, Jesus. At   that they all bow down to him. And they take out of their bags gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Afterwards, when they are about to return and tell Herod where the child is, they are warned by God in a dream not to do that. So they leave for their own country by another way.

                                                                  ……….to be continued

Playwright Janet Irene Thomas

Founder/CEO

Bible Stories Theatre of

Fine & Performing Arts

info@biblestoriestheatre.org

www.biblestoriestheatre.org

THE CHRISTMAS STORY -4 / WHAT CHILD IS THIS?

"COME, LET US ADORE HIM"  

Luke 2:21-23

King James Version (KJV)

The Child of Promise

21 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.

22 And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord;

23 (As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord ;)

Instead of returning to Nazareth, Joseph and Mary remain in Bethlehem. And when Mary’s days of purification were ended, Jesus was presented (circumcised) to the Lord in Jerusalem. It is apparently the custom also to give a baby boy his name on the eighth day. So they name their child Jesus, as the angel Gabriel had directed earlier.


More than a month passes, and Jesus is 40 days old.  Joseph takes Mary and baby Jesus to the temple in Jerusalem.

According to God’s Law to Moses, 40 days after giving birth to a son, a mother is required to present a purification offering at the temple. Thus, this is what Mary does. As her offering, she brings two small birds. This reveals something about the economic situation of Joseph and Mary. 

The Law of Moses indicates that a young ram, which is much more valuable than birds should be offered. However, if the mother could not afford this, two turtledoves or two pigeons would suffice.

Again, God sent a message to Mary, this time through Simeon: "Behold this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against (yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed" (Luke 2:34-35).

I personally recall watching a scene in Mel Gibson’s "Passion of the Christ" in which Mary took a cloth and wiped the blood of her son from the court floor. Unexplainable was the agony in my heart as I watched the horrific beating of my Savior, and so much more was the  anguish as  I watched the face of Mary as she wiped the blood of her son from the floor. Oh, I couldn’t understand, as the tears streamed down my face how this mother shed no tears. Now I know.

In the temple, Simeon takes Jesus into his arms. God has revealed to him that he will not die before he has seen God’s promised Christ, or Messiah. When Simeon comes to the temple on this day, he is directed by Holy Spirit to the child carried by Joseph and Mary.  

As Simeon holds Jesus he thanks God, saying: "Now, Sovereign Lord, you are letting your slave go free in peace according to your declaration; because my eyes have seen your means of saving that you have made ready in the sight of all the peoples, a light for removing the veil from the nations and a glory of your people Israel."

Joseph and Mary are amazed when they hear this. Then Simeon blesses them and says to Mary that her son "is laid for the fall and the rising again of many in Israel" and that sorrow, like a sharp sword will pierce her soul.

                                                                  ……….to be continued

Playwright Janet Irene Thomas

Founder/CEO

Bible Stories Theatre of

Fine & Performing Arts

info@biblestoriestheatre.org

www.biblestoriestheatre.org

THE CHRISTMAS STORY - 3

THE JOSEPH ACCEPTS

JESUS AS HIS SON  

Matthew 1:18-25

New International Version (NIV)

Joseph Accepts Jesus as His Son

24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife.

One can only imagine the stir Mary’s pregnancy probably caused. Not only Joseph of the mind to put her away secretly, and family and friends confusion. No wonder she went with haste to visit Elizabeth! 

She was greeted with words of comfort from Elizabeth; who declared words of faith: "Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord" (Luke 1:45). 

By having His angel announce Elizabeth’s news to Mary, God gave Mary away to visibly test the angel’s words. Thus, God provided comfort for her in the midst of her trouble, a clear reminder of His faithfulness to all His promises.

The Trip to Bethlehem

The emperor of the Roman Empire, Caesar Augustus has decreed that everyone must return to the city of his birth to be registered. So Joseph travels to his birthplace from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to David’s city, which is called Bethlehem, because he was a member of the house and family of David.—Luke 2:1-4.

The journey to Bethlehem was not an easy one.  A lot of people are in Bethlehem to register, and the only place that Joseph and Mary can find to stay is in a stable. Here, where donkeys and other animals are kept, Jesus is born. Mary wraps him in strips of cloth and lays him in a manger.

In the stable is a feeding trough, a bin (a manger) is from which farm animals eat. Thus, Mary and Joseph do their best with what they had… they did not let their limitations disillusion them; they simply did the best they could with what they had.

Surely it was at God’s direction that Caesar Augustus mad his registration law.  This made it possible for Jesus to be born in Bethlehem, the city the Scriptures had long before foretold would be the birthplace of the promised ruler.

A Visit Brings Encouragement

What an important night this is! Out in the fields a bright light gleams around a group of shepherds. It is the glory of Jesus!  And the angels of the Lord tell them: 

"Have no fear, for, look! I am declaring to you good news of the great joy that all the people have, because there was born to you today a Savior, who is Christ the Lord, in David’s city. And this is a sign for you: you will find an infant bound in cloth bands and lying in a manger."  

Suddenly many more angels appear and sing: "Glory in the heights above to God, and upon earth peace among men of goodwill."

When the angels leaves, the shepherds say to one another: 

"Let us by all means go clear to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which God has made know to us." 

They rushed from the fields and into the stable, eager to see the family and the child in particular.

Joseph’s story teaches us not only humble obedience and faith, but also God’s kindness and faithfulness to His people.  God didn’t leave Mary wondering at the stable either. He sent shepherds to confirm again to her that He was still fulfilling His promises in His way. The shepherds spread "the saying which was told them concerning this Child" (Luke 2:17) by the angel of the Lord. And "Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart" (Luke 2:19). 

She was remembering God’s faithfulness.  She remembered Elizabeth’s word. Now she tucked away the shepherd’s words. All these things would help her through to the end. God showed Mary that she was still "highly favored"; He sent her comforting words through His servants, messages of His love and reminders of His promises.

                                                                  ……….to be continued

Playwright Janet Irene Thomas

Founder/CEO

Bible Stories Theatre of

Fine & Performing Arts

info@biblestoriestheatre.org

www.biblestoriestheatre.org

THE CHRISTMAS STORY - 2

Joseph Marries Mary

The heading "Joseph Marries Mary" gives answer to the timeless question "When were Joseph and Mary considered married?"  Perhaps the confusion originated with the meaning of "betrothed" and "espoused."

To put to rest such confusion is the getting of more Jewish wisdom. In respect to Jewish culture and law, to be betrothed or espoused was so much more than our modest engagement. While theoretically not marriage, there was a binding contract.

Betroth: To promise "by one's truth." Men and women were betrothed when they were engaged to be married. This usually took place a year or more before marriage. From the time of betrothal the woman was regarded as the lawful wife of the man to whom she was betrothed (Deuteronomy 28: 30; Judges 14: 2, 8; Matthew 1: 18-21). The term is figuratively employed of the spiritual connection between God and his people (Hosea 2: 19, 20).

•       There are three passages of Scripture that refer specifically to the time of Joseph and Mary’s betrothal, the consummation of their marriage, and the birth of Jesus: Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 1:26-56; Luke 2:1-7. Each passage reveals something about their relationship as well as the cultural mores of that time.

The reason for their virginal union has been apparent to Christians for 2,000 years: Mary’s stainless womb is the Ark of the New Covenant and it is the Gate of Heaven. Her soul, but also her body was united to God in an intimate way. Thus, in the Old Testament, men were killed for simply touching the Ark of the Covenant on account of its holiness. How much more holy, then, was the shrine of the Incarnate Lord Jesus Christ who dwelt there for nine full months.

Thus, Joseph married Mary.

  

Life’s Lesson:

Walking in obedience to God may result in humiliation and disgrace before men. When we obey God, even in the face of adversity and public shame, he leads and guides us.

                                                                  ……….to be continued

Playwright Janet Irene Thomas

Founder/CEO

Bible Stories Theatre of

Fine & Performing Arts

info@biblestoriestheatre.org

www.biblestoriestheatre.org

THE CHRISTMAS STORY - 1

Joseph of Nazareth

Joseph, earthly father of Jesus the Christ, was quiet Jewish man in 1st century Palestine, and was a direct descendant from David. He was a righteous and gracious man who kept the laws of Judaism. God honored Joseph's integrity by entrusting him with a great responsibility of being the earthly father of Jesus. He was a builder by trade, and often had to travel to get jobs, however, since King Herod, was one of the supreme builders of the ancient world, had built or redesigned many of the cities in his kingdom, there was always sufficient work. Thus, the building trade was remarkably good.

Highly respected in his community, Joseph was a man of meager means but, nonetheless, he was an honorable and faithful man. He was betrothed in the traditional way to marry a young girl he’d known since childhood. Mary, his betrothal, was happy with the arrangement, and they both expected to have a conventional, and enjoyable life. 

BUT, something happened. Something unexplainable, something unforeseen and unpredictable transpired. Mary became pregnant. She was a virtuous girl without any previous hint of scandal, so Joseph was perplexed; there just seemed no understandable and palpable explanation. When Joseph found out about Mary's pregnancy, he must not have believed that she was pregnant by the Holy Spirit but that she had been unfaithful to him. Even though they were engaged and not married, to break up the relationship, Joseph would have had to divorce Mary. In fact, adultery in engagement was even punishable by death in some cases! Joseph did not want to disgrace Mary, so he planned to divorce her in private. This only needed two witnesses rather than going through the Jewish courts and no formal grounds needed to be given for the divorce.

But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said,

"Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because

what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and

you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins."

All this took place to fulfil what the Lord had said through the prophet:

'The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will

call him Immanuel' - which means, 'God with us.'

When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.

Having a vision in a dream from God was a sign of God's approval, so this would have made Joseph pay attention and do what the angel had said!

We're not told who the angel was, but it could well have been Gabriel, who is God's chief messenger angel.

                                                                 ......to be continued

Playwright Janet Irene Thomas
Founder/CEO 
Bible Stories Theatre of
Fine & Performing Arts
www.biblestoriestheatre.org