Scripture
The Lord is my shepherd;
I have all that I need.
He lets me rest in green meadows;
he leads me beside peaceful streams.
He renews my strength.
He guides me along right paths,
bringing honor to his name.
Even when I walk
through the darkest valley,
I will not be afraid,
for you are close beside me.
Your rod and your staff
protect and comfort me.
You prepare a feast for me
in the presence of my enemies.
You honor me by anointing my head with oil.
My cup overflows with blessings.
Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me
all the days of my life,
and I will live in the house of the Lord
forever. Psalm 23

Observation
What was David’s reaction when the wizened prophet Samuel chose him out of all his brothers to be anointed with oil to be king? I just realized as I read Psalm 23 that we know exactly how David felt, for he told us in this song. In verse 5 David sang, “You honor me by anointing my head with oil.” How many thousands of times have I read Psalm 23 and missed the reason why David wrote this Psalm? Surely he wrote these lyrics after Samuel’s visit as his heart response to God’s kindness to him. Samuel had anointed him with oil and David the shepherd boy was dumbfounded that it had happened to him.

With the motive for writing the Psalm revealed, the words take on new meaning. We now have a window into the soul of David as he walked back from the house into the fields to tend the sheep for another day. Months would pass before he would be sent on an errand that would lead him to Goliath to leave shepherding behind forever. During those days he reassessed his life, and his conclusion is astounding.

David, the crown prince of Israel, took on a new outlook on life. He saw himself as a sheep. If he said, “The Lord is my shepherd” then he must have by inference considered himself to be a lamb following the Lord. A dumb sheep is not a metaphor kings are likely to claim. A lion is more likely. But David’s heart is revealed in his choice. He would be a king, but he would follow.

Application
When God asks me to do great things, what is my heart response? Too often it is pride. I like the lion metaphor. But David’s humility rouses me to better desires. I am only a sheep following the shepherd. Though I may be asked to lead, it is the Lord who is my leader. There is a disarming humility in considering one’s self to be a bleating sheep. It’s not impressive, but it does touch the heart of the shepherd.

Prayer
Father, I see how you left David in the sheep pens a little while longer so he would not forget who he was, where he came from and just who you are. I see that in my life too and embrace it for all that it is worth. Thank you for being my shepherd. Thank you for the stream and meadow you give to me. And I take the hope that ahead is feasting. Today it is enough just to be with you, for you are the constant, whether I am in the field, the valley or at the feasting table. Amen.

Scripture
But Joseph was upset when he saw that his father placed his right hand on Ephraim’s head. So Joseph lifted it to move it from Ephraim’s head to Manasseh’s head. “No, my father,” he said. “This one is the firstborn. Put your right hand on his head.” But his father refused. “I know, my son; I know,” he replied. “Manasseh will also become a great people, but his younger brother will become even greater. And his descendants will become a multitude of nations.” Genesis 48:17-19

Observation
Joseph was like any father, he wanted the best for his sons. He hoped for the right schools and college, boy scouts, little league, and varsity sports…well at least Egyptian style. In Egyptian culture the first born son was nothing short of a demigod. Manasseh would have slept in a special raised bed, unlike his little brother Ephraim who had a mat on the floor. Manasseh was the designated favorite. Bursting with pride in his first born son Joseph hurried his boys to grandpa’s house for a final blessing before he died.

Joseph wanted the best for his sons, but God wanted what was right for them. What Egyptian culture said about the destiny of Mannessah was not God’s plan for the boy. Ephraim would be given more responsibility, not because he was loved any more, but because it was what fitted his potential. The boys were different and God used their differences to please him.

Application
Jacob was relaxed about the unpredictable ways that God uses people, so the old man went with God’s flow. I want to be relaxed about the uneven blessings of God as well, for my children and even for myself. God uses people differently but loves each of us totally. If we can become secure in his love for us then we will be comfortable with the differences in life outcome.

Jacob in a sense said that all people are great. “Manasseh will also become a great people,” he said. This implies that it was not as if one boy were superior and the other inferior, instead they were just different. If I can accept God’s uneven ways I can come to bless those like me who are used in more remarkable ways. I can come to accept the uniqueness of the way that God uses me.

Prayer
Father, I chose today to base my security not in my life outcome but in the fact that I loved by you. You bless me because you love me. That blessing is different for me than for others because I am unique. And because I am unique you love me differently than all the rest. I thank you that each of us is so greatly loved we would be excused to think we were the only ones on earth loved by you. Thank you for the unevenness of life, for it shows me that you know me personally and give me what fits me best. Amen.

Scripture
But soon it was time for the Jewish Festival of Shelters, and Jesus’ brothers said to him, “Leave here and go to Judea, where your followers can see your miracles! You can’t become famous if you hide like this! If you can do such wonderful things, show yourself to the world!” For even his brothers didn’t believe in him.

Jesus replied, “Now is not the right time for me to go, but you can go anytime. The world can’t hate you, but it does hate me because I accuse it of doing evil. You go on. I’m not going to this festival, because my time has not yet come.” John 7:2-8

Observation
When my kids were little one of my favorite books to read to them were the stories of the Berenstain Bears. They were just an average furry family of four living in the hectic woods, and so they escaped to the wilderness for holidays. It was to be an idyllic week in the woods but there was a leaky roof, empty fishing lines and other inconveniences not in the travel brochure. The Berestains went home frankly like bears with sore heads, until the pictures arrived. What the remembered most from their vacation were not the pictures fit for a brochure, but the memories of all of the inconveniences.

This story of Jesus could also be called, “Too Much Vacation.” This account of Jesus’ tiff with his family was written into the Bible years after the very brother who had doubted Jesus became the head pastor of the biggest church. James, Jude (who himself went to write part of the Bible) and a few others had an agenda for Jesus, but Jesus had other plans.

It was holiday time, in fact it was THE holiday. The Feast of Tabernacles season was like our current Thanksgiving/Christmas/New Years trifecta. Everyone looked forward to the autumn festivals. In fact the rabbis said it was a sin not to be happy at that time of year. But holidays accordion families into the tight confines of dinners, grandma’s house and road trips. Mary and Joseph’s kids were now grown with minds of their own. It was tug-o-war time in Nazareth as they tried as adults to live as if they were still children.

We have to read this story with a long term view. Years later I’m sure that James and Jude remembered this episode with a smirk. Jesus was obviously right and they were, well, just jealous brothers. What brought this family squabble to a happy ending was Jesus’ choice to listen to his heavenly Father rather than to the gossip of his siblings. That choice of Jesus to what God expected of him made all the difference. There was overwhelming pressure on Jesus to live up to their expectations.

But in the midst of all of the family murmurings Jesus could still hear his Father’s voice. He had to make this trip to Jerusalem alone that year. It would be like skipping Christmas dinner at mom’s house if that had been the rule for a thousand years. Jesus could hear the Father’s voice because he did not live with his adult brothers and sisters as if they were still children, but instead behaved like an adult and followed God’s direction for his life.

There must come a point in our maturity where God’s voice matters more than any other voice, even those that we love. Part of maturity is transferring from our earthly father’s house to our Heavenly Father’s house. It started for Jesus in the temple at age 12. It came into full focus while the family was packing for vacation. Listening to the Father first will not necessarily make the family happy…at first. But clarity comes when we play for an audience of one and live by his time schedule.

This story has a happy ending. James, Jude and even Mary herself had a 180 degree turn in their understanding of Jesus. It would never have happened if Jesus had toddled off to do what he had always done just to keep everyone quiet. Jesus had the courage to take an adult course of God’s direction for his life. That choice God could use in the future of his family.

Application
Christmas season is a little like the story of the Berestains and Joseph’s family. The joy of the season can short circuit with the reality of being together. When grown siblings attempt to direct life as if they were still living as children there is bound to be conflict. James and Jude later found the joy of releasing their brother to God’s plan, but first Jesus had to make that choice for himself. Our Christmases will be bright when we do what is right in God’s sight first. That has the greatest chance of long term happiness.

Prayer
Father, let my Christmas be blest this year. It’s the first in years and years that we will all be together. Help us to enjoy the uniqueness of the call you have for each and to bless that. And grant to each of us the courage to walk on as best we understand you. Amen.