The Agonizing Parts of the Advent
1. His own received him not. John 1
2. Jesus’s family tree – filled with questionable women and men. Matthew 1
3. Mentioning the deportation to Babylon. Matthew 1
4. The Barren Women…to The Virgin Woman Matthew 1 and Luke 1
5. Zachariah’s Doubt and Muted Voice. Luke 1
6. Elizabeth’s private joy. Luke 1
7. Mary’s Doubt of the Angel. “How can this be?” Luke 1
8. Zachariah’s reference to Darkness and Shadow of Death. Luke 1
9. Joseph’s Reluctance and Divorce Planning Matthew 1
10.Joseph joins Mary in the “Walks of Shame” Matthew 1
11.Taxes and Traveling Pregnant to Bethlehem. Luke 2
12.No Vacancy in the Inn. Luke 2
13.Laid in a Manger. Icky. Luke 2
14.Joseph delivers the Baby. Were they married yet. They had not been intimate. Awkward. Luke 2
15.Shepherds are terrorized by an angel. Luke 2
16.Shepherds Come for a Look. Low-lifes, one and all. Luke 2
17.Temple gifts required of even poor people. Luke 2
18.Circumcision: Ouch Luke 2
19.Prescribed Religious Duties, Mary is “unclean” by childbirth. Luke 2
20.Simeon’s Dire Words: Rising/Falling, Sign to be spoken against, and…as Sword. Luke 2
21.Anna’s words not being recorded. Women’s speech is unimportant. Luke 2
22.The Magi’s partial prophetic understandings – Star: Yes. Town: No. Matthew 2
23.The star led them to…Jerusalem. Oops. Matthew 2
24.Herod’s Scheming and Syrupy Lie. Matthew 2
25.The wisemen are warned too late. Matthew 2
26.The trudge to Egypt. Matthew 2
27.The death of the Bethlehem Babies. Matthew 2
28.Joseph’s need for constant angelic messages. 4 of them. Matthew 1 and 2
29.The Holy Couple looses the Holy Pre-Teen. John 2
30.The Holly Couple still don’t understand things…like “My Father’s House.” John 2
