Luke 2 (New International Version)

Luke 2

The Birth of Jesus
1. In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world.
2. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.)
3. And everyone went to his own town to register.
4. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David.
5. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.
6. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born,
7. and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

The Shepherds and the Angels
8. And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.
9. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.
10. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.
11. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.
12. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
13. Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14. "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
15. When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."
16. So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child,
18. and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.
19. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.
20. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Jesus Presented in the Temple
21. On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise him, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he had been conceived.
22. When the time of their purification according to the Law of Moses had been completed, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord
23. (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, "Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord"
24. 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."
25. Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.
26. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Christ.
27. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required,
28. Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:
29. "Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace.
30. For my eyes have seen your salvation,
31. which you have prepared in the sight of all people,
32. a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel."
33. The child's father and mother marveled at what was said about him.
34. Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: "This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against,
35. so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too."
36. There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage,
37. and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying.
38. Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.
39. When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth.
40. And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him.

The Boy Jesus at the Temple
41. Every year his parents went to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover.
42. When he was twelve years old, they went up to the Feast, according to the custom.
43. After the Feast 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?"
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 men.

Merry Christmas!!!

12/22/2009
Merry Christmas to all of you!!
We have enjoyed 2009, and we’ll share some of it with you.
Velma finished the special education endorsement program at PSU in March. It was a wonderful experience with the cohort (group) of teachers and professors. She has been teaching in special ed for 3 years, helping kids in any subject, and teaching several math lab classes—both high school and junior high.
Vung Chan continues his night job at Ogden Middle School, but his real love is farming. He has strawberries, raspberries, marion berries, black caps, blueberries, and all kinds of vegetables. His mom, Lyda, is well and just moved to Carver.
Joe is 17 years old, a driver, a flip-thrower in soccer, and a great student in almost all advanced classes. He loves to play his electric and acoustic guitars, and is taking piano and music theory from a great teacher. He misses gymnastics, though.
Have a great new year, 2010, and we look forward to our Lord’s Return!!

The Week before Christmas Break

12/13/2009

This week will be louder than any other time when teaching school. In the past years, I have scheduled carpal tunnel surgery, trips to Cambodia, and anything else that can legally get me out of teaching this week. If I can call it teaching.

First, I DO love the kids I teach. It is so natural for the excitement of two weeks off, probably with gifts and extra sweets, to affect any of us. Plenty of sleep is so important for staying patient with the students, but who can sleep? Last year, we missed this week in the district I'm in because of snow and ice. Remember?

Last Friday, I brought home the poinsettia from my desk, just in case. It was a gift from a retired teacher-friend. So far it looks like we having school tomorrow. The ice and snow storms just didn't happen.

Students are highly stressed anticipating this week. We all are. One student told me his mom is divorcing his step-dad--he is quick to add he didn't like him anyway. Another large group will not have their free breakfasts and lunches for two weeks. And probably no heat. And no doubt, some will get no gift(s). After the Christmas break, I must remember to not ask about 'what they got for Christmas'. Nor write an essay about their break. Maybe they will write in their private journals that most English classes require. Anything, to help get that pain out.

I have always prayed for students as they tell me about difficult things they face at home. The ones that don't tell me, but I still know, I also pray for them.

What can I recommend to people in this stressfull time? If there is something on your heart that is unbearable, find a friend who listens and says little, unless it is to give words of hope. Words of hope take our focus off the unbearable to what is bearable. And it may take awhle--keep at it.

Next, go out for lunch with friends who laugh constantly. I like the verse/proverb: Proverbs 17:22 "A merry heart does good, like medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones." I've had enough dry bones, how about you? I love to laugh! In this life, there is plenty to laugh about. I surround myself with friends who like to laugh--a lot!!

Maybe I can be the friend who loves to laugh with people and give medicine to someone's soul.

It is easy for stress to be internalized, and then to become depressed. I have found the Psalms to be a source of strength. King David and others wrote some of these in their times of depression and fear, and can point us out of these pits.

As Hanukkah is being celebrated this week to remember the Miracle of Oil and as a time of dedication, let's look forward to our Saviour's birthday (also my husband's) in less than two weeks. God gave His Son to anyone who receives the Gift. Our gift-giving is a great time to see how joyously kids young and old receive their gifts. Let's receive God's Gift to us in the same way.

Joy to the World!!