December 26, 2021 – First Sunday of Christmas worship service

In the gospel reading from Luke, the boy Jesus can also be found in the temple, after a frantic search by his parents. Mary and Joseph do not understand why he would be in the temple, and Jesus does not understand why his parents did not think to look there first: he is, after all, in his Father’s house because of obedience to his life’s work. Far from being the fun-spoiler, obedience leads us to praise. When we let our words and actions point toward God, we find reasons for praise on every side. May the peace of Christ dwell in you richly.