The Sixth Day of Christmas

Luke 2:1-7
2 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. 2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) 3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) 5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. 6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

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Jesus is born of the house and lineage of David. He, by all rights, should have been born in a palace, in the house of the king, with attendants and nurses and court physicians. Instead, he was swaddled and placed in a manger. There was no room for Him in the inn, yet He is the true king, not merely of Israel, but of the entire creation. 


Christmas is a time to recall our own lineage. As we gather with family, some of whom we have not seen since last Christmas, it is fitting that we should continue fitting together the pieces of our past. We go through the traditions that have been handed down, sometimes for many generations. We ask about our forefathers and listen to the stories of our ancestors. We remember who we are and where we come from, even if those truths are sometimes not to our liking.


Christmas is also a time to recall our deeper and greater lineage. We walk into the church to worship, and we are participating in a tradition that is nearly eight times as old as the United States of America. We sing hymns that were written long before our grandfather was a twinkle in the eye of his father. We listen to the Word of God, that Saint John tells us is from before the very beginning. (John 1:1) 


The Scriptures are opened and read to us, and we hear the words, not only of God, but of our forefathers in the faith, the Apostles of Jesus Christ. Both Saint Paul and Saint John repeatedly refer to those receiving their letters, not only as children, but as their children. Timothy is not connected to Paul by any close blood relation, but he is called “my child.” (2 Timothy 1:2; 2:1) We should receive the Bible as the Word of God, certainly. But we should also receive it as letters written from loving fathers to their beloved children about the faith and hope that they were willing to die for, about the King in whose service they would gladly spend their lives. 


Christmas is a time to remember who you are. Even if you have no earthly father, God is your true Father and Jesus Christ, King of Creation, is your true Brother. You are called by grace and love into His Family, His Kingdom. You are of the House and Lineage of Christ.