Singing with the four calling birds!

  

Today is the fourth day of the season of Christmas.  Strangely enough, I have not grown weary and sick of Christmas carols, with the exception of The Temptations version of "Silent Night."  I'm not sure if this can be attributed to the fact that I no longer work in restaurants or retail, where holiday merriment and preparations begin as early as November first.  Whatever the reason, I am looking forward to the celebration of Old Christmas also known as the Epiphany.

"On the fourth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me four calling birds."  The four calling birds from "The Twelve Days of Christmas" represent the four gospels of the New Testament.   The four gospels are Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.  I can thank Ms. Lang's Sunday School class #5 for remembering that.  The gospels are important in Christian faith, because they chronicle the story of Jesus' existence on earth.  These stories cover Jesus' preeminence from creation, his lineage, birth, teachings, miracles and death. 

The gospels are so important, that in most liturgically based denominations, there is a reading of the gospel during The Word of God segment of every worship.  The gospels were written by four different authors to different audiences.  Matthew's gospel was written primarily to the Jews.  Mark's gospel was written to the Gentiles and Romans.  Luke's gospel was written primarily to the Greeks and other gentiles.  John's gospel, or the theologian's gospel was written to a broader audience of Christians world-wide.

There are some similarities and differences in the gospel accounts.  Some gospels cover certain accounts of Jesus' life, while others do not.  The following are some of the stories of Jesus' life which can be found in each of the four gospels; Jesus' preaching in Galilee, the feeding of 5,000, the triumphal entry into Jerusalem, the last supper, the trial, execution, burial and resurrection of Jesus.  What a special gift to us: The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ! 

During this season and possibly at the beginning of the new year, take time to read through the gospels to experience Jesus' existence here on on  earth.  There are some reading plans on-line in which all of the gospels in a month.  Give it a try.  As you read, imagine yourself walking and talking with Jesus, drinking the wine at the wedding in Cana, sitting at his feet, watching Martha scurry around the house to prepare dinner.  Yes, even imagine yourself walking with Jesus as he traveled down the Via Dolorosa.  Imagine the gladness of your heart at hearing the news of the resurrection.  In doing this, you will become an active participant and inhabitant of the gospel of Jesus!

Remember that Jesus is the reason for the season and is to be shared with others not only in the preached gospel, but in our daily and sacramental living.  At the end of St. Matthew's gospel, the resurrected Jesus gives to his disciples The Great Commission, as he is ascending to heaven.  I leave these words with you to reflect and act upon.  "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.  And surely I am with always, to the very end of the age."  Are you singing the song of the four calling birds?

Peace and Christmastide Blessings,
Karsten