Greetings on a rare Sunday, the 2nd Sunday after Christmas (only happens 3 of 7 years), a Sunday which tells the story of 12-year-old Jesus being left in the temple by his parents following the Passover. A day which helps us acknowledge the restoration of hope and dignity based on relationships with Jesus.
Our invitation into worship was the reminder that all humanity was wonderfully created and restored to dignity within nature through the birth of Jesus. Our Hebrew scripture from Jeremiah was a portion of the Book of Consolation which declares that the hope of the sanctuary is universal, available for all who seek God. The Psalmist’s refrain affirms that our connection to God’s dwelling place brings hope for a future. The letter to the Ephesians recounts the connectedness of people of faith, regardless of the duration of their faith. Our Gospel recounts the story of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph making their trek to Jerusalem at Passover and, in this passage, Jesus being left by his parents.
Our reminder today is there is hope and strength in the Sanctuary. Because it is a sanctuary and a place where all people can hear a message of hope. The hope a church provides is not found in the “things” they have. Rather, the hope provided by a church is a connection to someone and something bigger than we are alone.
I invite your comments,
Les+
Readings: Jeremiah 31:7-14; Psalm 84; Ephesians 1:3-6, 15-19a; Luke 2:41-52
https://audiomack.com/fatherles-2/song/second-sunday-after-christmas-sermon
