In Matthew we are already with Jesus in Egypt, but in Luke we have not even left for Egypt, so let's back up a little before the flight to Egypt to protect baby Jesus. As by tradition of the law a woman was given eight days to begin that actual healing from giving birth before coming to the sanctuary and presenting her son to the Priest and paying the sacrifices required for giving birth. Pair of two young pigeons or turtledoves were required for sacrifice. I do not doubt that the law of eight days was for the sole reason to give Mary a little time to heal up from giving birth. Though healing might take longer, it was only then she could enter to give the sacrifice or requirement by the law to the temple. His name would be recorded and he would be then circumcised.

Some hospitals let a woman rest 24 hours from giving birth at the minimum and other it is less if all goes as planned, but more complex births woman rest more then one day in the hospital, it is for her protection. No one ever thinks of how and why some laws are written. It is always for the protection of the people. Christ coming was for the protection of the people though they would reject him though he offer peace and hope to the world. Where was faith of the beleivers. How come there was not enough faith to believe Christ ministry could not be greater then it was while on earth before His crucifixion. I think it had to do with blindness of the law to obey the law and their leaders. People often look to those they trust the most especially if they have not formed an educated decision based on facts to what they see, hear and read. It did not take much to get the crowd to go against Jesus, because of the authority of the religious leaders.

Laws are in place to protect people, but they can be blinding agent to real truth if what occurs is beyond the law understanding at the time it was written. We see our laws today changed by laws built in the ancient world. We see how laws develope for safety of women, even prehaps medical laws that protect women. There are things God is able to do that overrides all laws, because they are laws of faith. The virgin birth alone defies common sense and laws of man, especially at the time of Christ when it does take act of God for Mary to have conceived by His Word and His Spirit. That takes an element of faith. By our understanding faith would be thrown to the curb because of the law alone, but what is more powerful in your life faith or the law of man. If it is faith you believe God can do all things with or without man to accomplish his will. That if you are in his will for your life is protected by his command, and if you are out of his will but in his will by God's word then you only as protected as far as the will being fully accomplished. The will of God allowing evil to rise is only for God to tear it apart and knock it down. Almost sounds like a child taking blocks building a tower and knocking it down, except there is no laughter as a child would laugh but only anger. Mary was subject of the law of her country and religious upbring. Law of her country had no requirements that is recorded in the form of tax. The law of circumcision was a law of faith beginning at the time of Abraham. With the act of circumcision came sacrifice as a payment as the priesthood snipped the foreskin from the baby's penis. It is the same law that requires people to pay their ministers for funerals and weddings. It depends on the minister if he charges, doesn't charge or who he charges for what in regards of performing a legal ceremony.

There is a reason why I talk about the law verses faith, not because Bible talks about it, there is often confusion about the laws of sacrifice by tradition. There was a time in history where Americans did more bartering then paying with cash, credit cards and checks. There still places you can still barter and people can barter with or make trades with. Mostly people rather have money on paper with no true value except the guarantee that it worth something by the government or FDIC Insurance. What the point, if Mary keept the tradition of the law today she perhaps would have the precedure in hospital done by a Priest trained for the procedure or a jewish doctor, or perhaps there are still temples that perform such a procedure by laws and customs of the Jewish people. Whatever the case, one is no longer by our laws required to have this circumcision done, but they are required to respect others that make this choice. Respect in the means of allowing it, because it actually is consider healthier and not have to be performed later in life.

Let us talk about the circumcision of the heart. God taking away the sin of unbelief and begins to knock on the door of the heart of man to be able to receive him as Lord and Savior. It takes faith to believe. It takes faith to change one's belief, but it takes the blindness of our world to see the miracles of impossibility become a reality. The virgin birth was such a miracle, but I can not help but think what did Mary think as she seen the reality of faith come alive not just in her own but in others. Faith is more then legal law, but the impossible coming to life, not because of sin but the word of God. If God says it will happen it will happen.

This Christmas let faith rule in the heart of unbelief, the traditions and hope of the reality impossibility understood as being something able to come to pass by the power of God. Faith is more then traditions or law, but beyond something only God can create and do and not something man can duplicate. Faith is more then inpossibility coming to life but a reality of hope. Christ is returning, no time known to me, but known to God the Father. Is it a possibility, no it more then possibility it is a fact but without faith stretch that belief beyond childhood becomes quiet within the soul. It must spring alive in the heart of believer as faith is tested and stretched. Let us remember to obey traditions of faith, but not with blinders, but open eyes seeing God being the author of impossibility made possible.

Dear Heavenly Father, help us to remember the hope of impossibility that over looks the law of man to achieve the will of God by his power and might. In Jesus precious name, Amen.

Continual Scripture Study for Devotion: Hebrews 11:1-7 KJV
1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
2 For by it the elders obtained a good report.
3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.
4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.
5 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.
6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.