Jeremiah 23:3-6 (NRSV)
Then I myself will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the lands where I have driven them, and I will bring them back to their fold, and they shall be fruitful and multiply. 4 I will raise up shepherds over them who will shepherd them, and they shall no longer fear or be dismayed, nor shall any be missing, says the Lord. 5 The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. 6 In his days Judah will be saved, and Israel will live in safety. And this is the name by which he will be called: “The Lord is our righteousness.”
Luke 2:41-52 New International Version (NIV)
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?”[a] 50 But they did not understand what he was saying to them. 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.
The Christmas whirlwind has finally come to an end, but a heavy air lingers over us now. 🎄✨ We delivered every last present and shared joyful moments with friends and family—some we only see once a year. Yet, as the joyful chaos of the Christmas season subsides, we're left with an unsettling anticipation for the new year. Instead of looking forward, many of us are grappling with anxiety, overshadowing the laughter we shared just last month. The familiar rhythm of life feels uncertain, and we're left wondering what lies ahead.
The Christmas season evokes a wide range of feelings in everyone. Some find it a poignant reminder of lost loved ones, while others revel in the warm nostalgia of childlike innocence that the holidays bring. It’s a time when generosity flourishes, showcasing the goodness within humanity, with December accounting for thirty-one percent of all charitable donations—a true testament to its spirit of giving and reflection amidst the holiday hustle.
As we step into January 2025, today marks the first Sunday of the new year. It’s a moment to pause and appreciate the past while also bracing for inevitable reactions and retaliations of New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. Yet, in the midst of all the chaos and rumors of chaos, while we gather in worship, there’s an undeniable sense of emptiness as we look around and notice the dwindling number of faces in the pews. The hope for renewal in the coming year mingles with a growing silence that leaves us with much to contemplate.
Reflecting on our recent celebrations, it’s natural to draw parallels between our traditions and those of our forebearers. Just as we joyfully gathered to commemorate our most significant celebrations of the year, so too did the Jewish people during their momentous festivals. Now, let us turn our attention to the scripture. For our Jewish brethren, the pinnacle of celebration is the feast of Passover. It was customary for all adult males to make the journey to Jerusalem for this important occasion, which brings us to the scene we have today. Jesus, along with his family and a traveling party from Nazareth, has ventured to the city to honor the exodus of the Hebrews from Egypt. Amid the hustle and bustle of social gatherings and the many activities that come with such a significant festival, there would also be moments of solemn reflection. This atmosphere may remind us of the spirit we embrace during our Advent and Christmas celebrations.
Let me paint a picture for you. Imagine Jesus at the age of 12, just a few months away from crossing a threshold. In Jewish tradition, he was on the cusp of being regarded as an adult, prepared to take on responsibilities and make his own decisions. Much like a 17-year-old today eagerly anticipating turning 18 and embracing newfound independence, as well as responsibilities, this 12-year-old Jesus was likely captivated by the vibrant atmosphere of the city during Passover.
As his family prepared for their journey home, the atmosphere was lively and bustling, reminiscent of any festive celebration. With adulthood on the horizon, Jesus was expected to step up, contributing to the family’s needs and participating in their traditions. His mother would have felt more at ease, no longer needing to constantly fret about his whereabouts or activities, trusting that he was beginning to navigate the world around him with growing maturity.
Instead, she would have granted him a degree of independence, confident in his ability to navigate the bustling caravan returning to Nazareth. This expectation illustrated both Jesus's maturity at that age and the societal norms of the time, preparing him for the responsibilities of manhood. However, as we soon discover, things didn’t entirely unfold as anticipated… I have heard this story told so often as if Jesus were the boy left in the big city. But that part of the story should not catch our attention. Readers in the first century certainly would not have given it a second thought.
A day into the trip home, Mary counts the children and, much to her dismay realizes Jesus is missing. She and Joseph return to Jerusalem, and after three days, they find him in the temple courts. What does he say? “Why were you searching for me? Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” This seems profound when we read it in hindsight because we know the story, but doesn’t it sound like a typical teenager?
After the dust settled and the celebration ended, Jesus went to the temple. Remember, according to Jewish custom, the temple is where God resided. This may seem strange for us Christians to understand; we are told that our sanctuary is just a building and that GOD does not live in it. But in Jesus’ day, if you wanted to be close to God, you went to His house. This is precisely what Jesus did. After everyone who was there for the celebration left the city—fulfilling the laws and customs—all that remained was the faithful remnant of believers in the temple. Among them was a 12-year-old Jesus.
This is interesting because a group of rabbis is sitting and talking to a child who is almost an adult. It’s like a high school student having a conversation in a room full of Ph.D.s. These were teachers of men, not children. Remember that Jesus was only 12 and was not yet considered a man. This situation would be highly unorthodox because he was young and would be deemed uneducated and unworthy of consideration due to his social status. I’m sure the stereotype of the teenager trying to prove he is a man is as timeless as the relationship between fathers and sons. Yet, Luke tells us he had the rabbis "amazed"... (v.47)
Luke shares this to distinguish Jesus. His knowledge, and therefore his authority, comes from God, regardless of his age. Jesus nurtures his relationship with his heavenly Father not only during the celebration, as law and custom prescribe, but also afterward. He continues this throughout his life and ministry until he is taken to the cross.
Luke also goes to great lengths to convey that Jesus comes from a law-abiding family that follows the strictest codes. This second chapter of Luke provides extensive details upon closer examination. Verses 2:1-7 reveal that Caesar issued a decree for a census, prompting Joseph to travel with his very pregnant fiancée to the town of his ancestor David for registration, in accordance with human law. In verses 2:21-24, after Jesus' birth, they adhered to the Jewish custom of circumcision. Once the purification period was complete, Jesus was taken to the temple for dedication, thus fulfilling the law of the firstborn established by Moses. Finally, in today’s passage, we learn that they traveled to the Passover festival every year. By all accounts, Jesus was raised well by a loving family—indeed, a law-abiding family; I would even say they were “God-fearing."
In this passage, the journey of Mary and Joseph symbolizes a profound spiritual transition. As they depart from the temple, they are distancing themselves from the presence of God, who resides there. In contrast, Jesus remains close to the divine, engaging in discussions about the law within the temple courts. He embodies the faithful remnant committed to fulfilling God's will. The poignant imagery from Luke illustrates the feeling of loss that Mary and Joseph experience as they turn away from the sacred space. In a narrative sense, their eventual need to turn back signifies a return to the divine, underscoring a powerful spiritual truth.
I used to share this in my Sunday school class and with anyone willing to discuss the majesty of our holy scriptures. There is no filler in this book; every mundane passage serves a purpose. Just because you read it yesterday doesn’t mean it will resonate with you in the same way today. I wrote an entirely different sermon from the same passage before creating this one. It's all about symbols and numbers, textual criticism, and a wealth of academic insights that I find fascinating. Then I closed my eyes and offered this simple prayer: “God, what do you want me to say?” After that, I shut my computer and went to bed. So, I went to bed with the news of this previous week lingering in my head. I did not sleep well.
Let me give you a brief lesson on how the Holy Spirit works in my life. I have been reading extensively about the Diaspora, a term that refers to the displacement of people from their homeland. This term describes what happened to the Jews in the Old Testament due to exile. When Babylon devastated Judah and Jerusalem after a siege that, according to some accounts, lasted over two years (Finkelstein and Silberman 2002), the Jewish population was exiled to Babylon. Not only the Bible but also modern archaeology recount this history. Despite the disruption lasting for generations, the Israelites returned to Jerusalem, rebuilt the temple, and worshiped their God. While this scenario is on a much larger scale than simply going to the temple after a party, it serves as a powerful metaphor. In the middle of the night, the word 'DIASPORA' suddenly popped into my mind, and I recognized its metaphorical significance. After the dust settled, the faithful remnant drew closer to God!
In the midst of scattered journeys, the Israelites found themselves gathering from the echoes of exile. From the cherished remnants of the Passover celebration, Jesus and his family returned to the temple. Today, we joyfully embrace a scattered remnant of Christmas, returning to the sacred house of God to worship. This moment serves as a profound reminder, drawing us closer to a deeper understanding and connection to God.
During this time of year, particularly on the Sunday after Christmas and the first few Sundays in January, the church is often filled with a faithful remnant. Much like Jesus, who instinctively sought out the temple to be closer to his Heavenly Father, this remnant is drawn not just by custom but by a profound longing for connection with God. Regardless of how well he was raised or how diligently his family followed traditions, Jesus felt the pull toward a closer relationship with the divine. In a similar way, those who gather during this season demonstrate that simply following rituals is not enough; they seek to draw nearer to God, embodying the spirit of the faithful remnant.
As I rewrite this sermon for this first Sunday of the year 2025, I must ask myself, how wonderful is it that we, the faithful ones, come together to worship and celebrate our unwavering faith? I invite the congregation to reflect on the same: In what ways do we embody the true spirit of believers who spread joy and generosity throughout the year, shining the Light of Christ through the Holy Spirit? As we step into this new year, let us consider how we can draw strength from God in moments of uncertainty and fear. While many may seek comfort in retreating—much like the caravan returning to Nazareth—I encourage us to reflect on how inspiring it is that we choose to stand as beacons of hope and perseverance. Isn’t our commitment to faith a profound source of inspiration for everyone around us as we embrace the opportunities this year may hold?
We all express our faith in different ways: some through our wallets, some through our actions, and others with a gentle touch for those in need or a kind word for the sick and shut-in. However, especially during this time of year, we must ask ourselves: are we indeed a faithful remnant? Are we merely listening to the passionate words of our pastor and feeling good about ourselves while others are hurting, hungry, cold, and alone? This season is a perfect time to evaluate our commitment to following Christ. Are we genuinely being the hands and feet of Christ in this community, or are we getting comfortable while neglecting those who desperately need our help? The questions we ask ourselves right now are just as important as the actions we take.
Throughout history, especially during the tumultuous periods following Jesus’s crucifixion, Christians faced persecution and dispersion. However, each time they were scattered like seeds sown across various soils, a remnant of faith emerged, gaining strength and contributing to the growth of the Church. Today, even amid challenges—such as in China, where religion is restricted, and believers risk raids to gather in underground churches—this faithful remnant endures. They act on their instinct to worship, just as Jesus did, driven by a faith that transcends fear. As indicated in Isaiah 26:9, “My soul yearns for you in the night; my spirit within me earnestly seeks you.” this yearning for God unites both Christ and his followers in their pursuit of divine presence.
In our lesson, Jesus exemplifies the profound relationship He maintains with His Heavenly Father. How can we be confident in this? Verse 52 reveals that Jesus grew in wisdom (understanding God’s law), stature (physical development), and favor with both God (spiritually) and humankind (socially). He serves as the ultimate model for our conduct. Through prayer, studying Scripture, fellowship with believers, and embracing the spirit of Christmas, we are called to celebrate and reflect on His grace and truth. We are also called to invite others to celebrate with us.
As we reflect on the conclusion of the Christmas season, let us remember that this time of year serves as a powerful metaphor for our ongoing journey of faith. It is not only a moment to celebrate but also an invitation to deepen our connection with God. Instead of letting the spirit of Christmas fade, I encourage you to carry its essence with you throughout the year. May each day present an opportunity to draw closer to our Heavenly Father and strengthen our faith with unwavering dedication. In this renewed commitment, let us embrace the fullness of His grace and presence, nurturing a lasting spirit of hope, love, and joy that goes beyond the holiday season. Think about how you can cultivate this relationship and keep the spirit of Christmas alive in your heart and actions every day.
In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
~Works Cited~
Finkelstein, Israel, and Neil Asher Silberman. 2002. The Bible Unearthed: Archeology's New Vision of Ancient Israel and the Origins of its Sacred Texts. New York: Free Press.
2024. Interlinear Bible. Nov. 29. https://biblehub.com/interlinear.
Jay P. Green, Sr., ed. 1985 (11th printing 2022). The Interlinear Greek-English New Testament. Vol. 4. 4 vols. Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson Publishing Group.
2011. NIV Study Bible. Grand rapids, MI: Zondervan.
2022. "NRSVue." NRSVue Holy Bible with Deuterocanonical/Apocryphal Books of the Old Testament. Grand Rapids: Zondervan.
Powery, Emerson B., Stacy Davis, Mary F. Foskett, Brent A. Strawn, J. Todd Hibbard, Jennifer L. Kooseed, Davina C. Lopez, Henry W. Morisada Reitz, and Claudia Setzer, . 2024. The Westminster Study Bible. Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press.
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