Matthew 2 and Luke 2:39 - 52
Matthew 2 details the visit from the wise men from the east. Nowhere does it say there were three wise men, but it is assumed since there are three separate gifts mentioned. These men were obviously astrologers who had seen a star that indicated to them the king of the Jews had been born. They came to find him so they could worship him.
Isn’t it interesting that the leading priests and teachers of religious law could tell exactly where the Messiah was to be born? Herod, not taking any chances that someone would take over for him as king of the Jews, takes the wise men aside and tells them to let him know when they find him “so that I can go and worship him, too.” I love that finding the child filled them with joy. When they return to their own country, God once again intervenes and sends them home via a different route.
Joseph, after hearing from an angel of the Lord that he should flee to Egypt immediately, takes Mary and the child to Egypt and stayed there until Herod’s death. It’s a good thing he did, since Herod ordered the death of all boys in and around Bethlehem who were two years old and under. This fulfilled the prophecy from Jeremiah 31:15 of Rachel weeping for her children. As Matthew points out, this fulfills the prophecy from Hosea 11:1 that God would call his Son out of Egypt. Joseph goes back to Nazareth in Galilee instead of Bethlehem in Judea because of a warning in a dream and knowing that Herod’s son Archelaus was in Judea.
We don’t hear a lot about Jesus’s childhood, but are given a little insight into it in Luke 2. His parents were devout Jews, celebrating the Jewish holy days, including Passover. We do know he was obedient to them and that he “grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and all the people.”
Tomorrow, we’ll read Matthew 3, Mark 1, and Luke 3.
Rules for Kickin' Ass:
Rules for the Non-Military
Make sure you read #13
Dear Civilians, 'We know that the current state of affairs in our great nation has many civilians up in arms and excited to join the military.
For those of you who can't join, you can still lend a hand. Here are a few of the areas where we would like your assistance:
1. The next time you see any adults talking (or wearing a hat) during the playing of the National Anthem- kick their ass.
2. When you witness, firsthand, someone burning the American Flag in protest - kick their ass.
3. Regardless of the rank they held while they served, pay the highest amount of respect to all veterans. If you see anyone doing otherwise, quietly pull them aside and explain how these veterans fought for the very freedom they bask in every second. Enlighten them on the many sacrifices these veterans made to make this Nation great. Then hold them down while a disabled veteran kicks their ass.
4. If you were never in the military, DO NOT pretend that you were. Wearing battle dress uniforms (BDUs) or Jungle Fatigues, telling others that you used to be 'Special Forces'. Collecting GI Joe memorabilia, might have been okay when you were seven years old, now, it will only make you look stupid and get your ass kicked.
5. Next time you come across an *Air Force* member, do not ask them, 'Do you fly a jet?' Not everyone in the Air Force is a pilot. Such ignorance deserves an ass-kicking (children are exempt).
6. If you witness someone calling the Coast Guard 'non-military', inform them of their mistake - and kick their ass.
7. Next time Old Glory (the US flag) prances by during a parade, get on your damn feet and pay homage to her by placing your hand over your heart. Quietly thank the military member or veteran lucky enough to be carrying her - of course, failure to do either of those could earn you a severe ass-kicking.
9. 'Your mama wears combat boots' never made sense to me - stop saying it! If she did, she would most likely be a vet and therefore would kick your ass!
10. 'Flyboy' (*Air Force*), 'Jarhead' (*Marines*), 'Grunt' (*Army*), 'Squid' (*Navy*), 'Puddle Jumpers'(*Coast Guard*) etc., are terms of endearment we use describing each other. Unless you are a service member or vet, you have not earned the right to use them. Using them
Could get your ass kicked.
11. Whether or not you become a member of the military, support our troops and their families. Every Thanksgiving and religious holiday that you enjoy with family and friends, please remember that there are literally thousands of soldiers, sailors,marines and airmen far from home wishing they could be with their families. Thank God for our military and the sacrifices they make every day. Without them, our country would get its ass kicked.
12. It's the Veteran, not the reporter, who has given us the freedom of the press.
It's the Veteran, not the poet, who has given us the freedom of speech.
It's the Veteran, not the community organizer, who gives us the freedom to demonstrate.
It's the Military who salutes the flag, who serves beneath the flag, and whose coffin is draped by the flag, who allows the protester to burn the flag.
AND ONE MORE:
13. If you ever see anyone singing the national anthem in Spanish - KICK THEIR ASS.
ONE LAST THING:
I say this to you, Not because I didn't want to get my ass kicked BUT BECAUSE YOU ARE VERY, VERY SPECIAL TO ME AND I KNOW YOU WILL NOT BE OFFENDED AND ARE PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN.
THANK YOU
WE LIVE IN THE LAND OF THE FREE, ONLY BECAUSE OF THE BRAVE! IN GOD WE TRUST
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