The Second Day of Christmas

Galatians 4:4-7
Hebrews 2:10-18

"What Happens Next?"

For the service on 26 December 2004, Mr. Hunter posed a series of questions to the congregation, which I represent below:

Why do we celebrate Christmas?

»to remind us »Jesus's birthday »Santa Claus »custom »family time »light & hope in the dead of winter

What are your plans today?

»bingo »sales »sleep »making Christmas candy »cleaning »ball games »family

What about the day after tomorrow?

»ball games »thank you notes »everything not done in time for Christmas (cards, Christmas letter, wrapping gifts, etc.)

How about next Wednesday?

»82nd birthday of Ray Nott »back to routines

And in two weeks from Wednesday (January 12)?

»finals »back to normal »drive to Arizona »Wednesday night dinners and classes resume

We have, Mr. Hunter said, patterns and rhythms to our lives which allow us to predict what we'll be doing in the future. The big question, however, is this: How will our celebration of Christmas still affect us two weeks from Wednesday?

Mr. Hunter further visited with the congregation about what we know of Christ's childhood. From Luke, we know he was circumcised, named, dedicated at the temple, went to live in Nazareth, traveled to Jerusalem each year for Passover, and grew up. We know this not only from Luke, but also from the fact that Mary and Joseph were faithful people who raised Jesus according to religious tradition.

We don't know what lies ahead of us, but our Christian traditions and faith guide us through our lives. We can live with uncertainties because God is with us to guide us.