There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshipped there with fasting and prayer night and day. At that moment she came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem. When they had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favour of God was upon him.   Luke 2:36-40

The favour of God

χάρις (charis)

pleasing show, charm; beauty, gracefulness; a pleasing circumstance, matter of approval, 1 Pet. 2:19, 20; kindly bearing, graciousness, Lk. 4:22; a beneficial opportunity, benefit, 2 Cor. 1:15; Eph. 4:29; a charitable act, generous gift, 1 Cor. 16:3; 2 Cor. 8:4, 6; an act of favor, Acts 25:3; favor, acceptance, Lk. 1:30, 52; Acts 2:47; 7:10, 46; free favor, free gift, grace, Jn. 1:14, 16, 17; Rom. 4:4, 16; 11:5, 6; Eph. 2:5, 8; 1 Pet. 3:7; free favor specially manifested by God towards man in the Gospel scheme, grace, Acts 15:11; Rom. 3:24; 5:15, 17, 20, 21; 6:1; 2 Cor. 4:15; a gracious provision, gracious scheme, grace, Rom. 6:14, 15; Heb. 2:9; 12:28; 13:9; gracious dealing from God, grace, Acts 14:26; 15:40; Rom. 1:7; 1 Cor. 1:4; 15:10; Gal. 1:15; a commission graciously devolved by God upon a human agent, Rom. 1:5; 12:3; 15:15; 1 Cor. 3:10; 2 Cor. 1:12; Gal. 2:9; Eph. 3:8; grace, graciously bestowed divine endowment or influence, Lk. 2:40; Acts 4:33; 11:23; Rom. 12:6; 2 Cor. 12:9; grace, Acts 13:43; Rom. 5:2; Gal. 5:4; 2 Pet. 3:18; an emotion correspondent to what is pleasing or kindly; sense of obligation, Lk. 17:9; a grateful frame of mind, 1 Cor. 10:30; thanks, Lk. 6:32, 33, 34; Rom. 6:17; 1 Cor. 15:57; χάριν or χάριτας καταθέσθαι, to oblige, gratify, Acts 24:27; 25:9

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Why do we big-up Jesus when, as each who proclaim to be saved and are indwelt of the same Jesus … we then preach that pride is a sin.

Why do we big-up Jesus as the man without a home … but insist the House of God is a Sanctuary that must remain closed to the homeless bums.

Why do we big-up seeing Jesus everywhere  … yet go to a costly building each week to worship him.

Why do we preach that all are welcome … yet have costly annual conferences deciding why all are not.

Why do we preach rules of who can be saved and who cannot, what being saved means we must do and do not …

Why do we preach so much about who fits and who does not …

And why do we always big-up seeing this “bigged-up Jesus” everywhere …

Apart from where he and all this really matter?   

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