Now What?

Do you ever wonder what happened shortly after Jesus was born?  Once the heavenly host returned to heaven, the shepherds returned to keeping watch over their flocks by night, and after the wise men returned to their foreign land...what did Mary and Joseph do?

What about you?  Now that the crowds have left and the house sits quiet and empty...what do you do?  What should we do after a celebration subsides?  Where might we focus our attention?

Answer:  Let the Scriptures guide us:

When the time came for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: "a pair of doves or two young pigeons."  Luke 2:22-24

Only a week after his birth, Mary and Joseph offered Jesus back to God.  They were committed to a life of obedience. 

What a perfect response to the wonder of Christ's birth...offering ourselves to the Lord:  "Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God--this is your true and proper worship."  Romans 12:1

Join us this Sunday at 9:30am, as we conclude our series, Portraits of Christmas.  This week, we will look at how Joseph and Mary followed God's leading after Jesus was born.  I believe we can learn a lot from the way Joseph and Mary responded to God's clear revelation of His will.  Join us as we gather together in community to worship God, connect with one another, and grow in our love for God.  We will end the year by remembering why Jesus came, as we receive the Lord's Supper.

See you Sunday.

Pastor Doug