Joseph the Dreamer

The life of Joesph reminds us that even when we encounter obstacles in life, God provides for our needs and watches over us. Joseph was Jacob's favorite son. To show his love, Jacob had a fine tunic made for Joseph. When Joseph's brothers saw how much their father loved Joseph they were envious.

One day Joseph's brothers were out tending their father's flocks. Jacob told Joseph to check on his brothers and the flocks. His brothers saw him coming and plotted to kill him. Reuben the oldest, objected to killing Joseph. Instead they threw him into a dry well and later sold him to a caravan of traders heading to Egypt. He was sold to Potiphar for twenty pieces of silver.

The Lord protected Joseph while he lived in Potiphar's house. Potiphar put Joseph in charge of all his possessions. Potiphar's wife fell in love with Joseph, but Joseph refused to commit sin with her. Angry with Joseph, Potiphar's wife screamed and pretended that Joseph had tried to attack her. Potiphar seized Joseph and threw him into jail.

Some time later Pharaoh's cupbearer and the chief baker were imprisoned for offending Pharoah. One night both the cupbearer and the baker had strange dreams, that they could not understand. Joseph told them to tell him their dreams. In the cupbearers dream, he had seen a vine with three branches filled with grapes. "I picked the grapes and squeezed them into Pharoah's cup. I put the cup into Pharoah's hand. The chief baker explained his dream. He had seen himself carrying three baskets. In the top one were baked goods for Pharoah. Birds were pecking at the baked goods.

So for my treat tonight I had grape juice served in wine glasses to represent the cupbearer. I made banana chocolate chip muffins to represent the chief baker. You will have to read Genesis 39-41 to find out the meaning of the dreams and the rest of the story of Joseph.

Esau, Jacob & sibling rivalry

Esau and Jacob are twins who have fighting since in the womb of their mother Rebekah, the wife of Isaac. Esau was born first but Jacob came out gripping Esau's heel, not wanting to let go. As the firstborn son Esau was to receive the family's birthright. This was the oldest son's right to the greatest part of the inheritance and to a special blessing from the father. Jacob did not think he had a chance for this blessing unless he took matters into his own hands. One day Esau found Jacob cooking. Esau was hungry and asked for some of the soup. Jacob knew that this was his chance. He said, "First, give me your birthright." Esau was so hungry that he agreed and even made an oath. So my treat for tonight is chili soup. Jacob will also cheat Esau out of the special blessing from his father. Fearful for his life Jacob flees from Esau, goes back to Haran where he will reap what he has sown.

Abraham

Abraham is our father in faith and a man of great faith. When God called Abraham to leave his homeland, Abraham responded with a generous and obedient heart. God had promised Abraham many descendants, all nations would be blessed by him, he would be given land, and God would always be with him. Abraham did not understand how all of God's promises could happen since he and his wife Sarah were very old. God took Abraham outside and said; "Look up at the sky and count the stars, if you can. Just so shall your descendants be." So my treat tonight is jiggler stars. It was actually daylight when God had Abraham look into the sky, so I made light colored stars.

The Presentation of Jesus

Today is the feast of the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple. It is written in the law of the Lord; "Every first-born male is to be dedicated to the Lord," and since Joseph and Mary were obedient to the law that is what they did. They also went to offer a sacrifice of a pair of doves or two young pigeons, as required by the law of the Lord. For dinner tonight my husband and I are having chicken drumettes to represent the pigeons that were offered.

In Luke's account, Jesus was welcomed in the temple by two elderly people, Simeon and the widow Anna. They embody Israel in their patient expectation; they acknowledge the infant Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah.

Another name for this feast day is: Candlemas, Christ himself says, "I am the light of the world.' And we are the light, we ourselves, if we receive it from him. How are we making it shine?