Feast of the Holy Name (Sunday 1.1.12)

Luke tells us about the 12-year-old Jesus, at the temple confounding religious teachers with wisdom beyond his years. He ends with a summary: “And Jesus increased in wisdom and in years, and in divine and human favor.” The ancient Romans had among their pantheon a “god of doorways.” His name was Janus. With two faces, one looking forward and the other looking back, he was the god of beginnings as well as endings. He gives his name, of course, to this month, “January,” and to “janitors,” the keepers of doorways. The ancient Romans had among their pantheon a “god of doorways.” His name was Janus. With two faces, one looking forward and the other looking back, he was the god of beginnings as well as endings. He gives his name, of course, to this month, “January,” and to “janitors,” the keepers of doorways.

Just as the ancient Romans felt the need for a “god of beginnings,” and gathered to pay him homage when the wheat was sown, or when the harvest began, or when a baby was born, there is, within our human nature, a deep yearning for new beginnings, and a natural hope that this year will be better than the last. After Pentecost, in a time of transition, the early Church struggled with its identity and purpose, longing in the face of persecution and Luke tells us about the 12-year-old Jesus, again at the temple, confounding religious teachers with wisdom beyond his years. He ends with a summary: “And Jesus increased in wisdom and in years, and in divine and human favor.” The ancient Romans had among their pantheon a “god of doorways.” His name was Janus. With two faces, one looking forward and the other looking back, he was the god of beginnings as well as endings. He gives his name, of course, to this month, “January,” and to “janitors,” the keepers of doorways. The ancient Romans had among their pantheon a “god of doorways.” His name was Janus. With two faces, one looking forward and the other looking back, he was the god of beginnings as well as endings. He gives his name, of course, to this month, “January,” and to “janitors,” the keepers of doorways.

Just as the ancient Romans felt the need for a “god of beginnings,” and gathered to pay him homage when the wheat was sown, or when the harvest began, or when a baby was born, there is, within our human nature, a deep yearning for new beginnings, and a natural hope that this year will be better than the last. After Pentecost, in a time of transition, the early Church struggled with its identity and purpose, longing in the face of persecution and skepticism for a new beginning, for the coming of the “heavenly Jerusalem” that John so vividly describes. The first followers ached for “a second chance.” After Pentecost, in a time of transition, the early Church struggled with its identity and purpose, longing in the face of persecution and skepticism for a new beginning, for the coming of the “heavenly Jerusalem” that John so vividly describes. The first followers ached for “a second chance.” As a sign that it is indeed a new beginning, that God is crossing a threshold that has not been crossed before, as a “sign” that things are to be different, the news of the second chance is told first to shepherds, keeping watch over their flocks. Not to kings or sages. Not to the rich and the mighty. And where are the shepherds to find him? Not in Jerusalem. Not in the temple or in a palace, but in Bethlehem of all places, in a barn, wrapped in rags and lying in a feeding box. An old way is ending, and a new one is beginning. The Word becomes flesh and dwells among us. ?

God in Christ has chosen us – adopted us – and given us a new beginning; and even more than a new beginning, a whole new life, a new birth, a new creation in which to live. We are no longer slaves but children of God. And so on this wonderful morning, on the threshold of another year, the news is good: God so loved the world, that in Christ, he gave us another chance, so that we may not perish, but have eternal life. God is not finished with us. God is still at work in our lives and in creation. And so, fellow holy janitors, “keepers of this new day,” let us pray that God may fill our hearts with joy and hope in believing; save us from our fears and doubts; and give us courage and strength to be instruments of the in-breaking of his promised kingdom. AMEN.

***This week please remember in prayer the family of VIKKI MCCOMBIE as her mother MADELINE VAUGHT is now in eternal repose.***