Have a fantastic Day! Wake up gratefully, smile, laugh, and be kind!
James the Just was the half-brother of Jesus Christ, a key leader of the early church in Jerusalem, and the biological son of Mary and Joseph. He authored the Book of James. Initially, he was skeptical of Jesus, as many people are today. However, after the resurrection, he became a follower when Jesus appeared to him directly. Although he was not one of the twelve disciples, James emerged as a strong advocate for faith in action and gained respect among both Jews and Christians as a prominent leader in the early church.
James is called the “Just” because of his commitment to the early church in the Council of Jerusalem, where he helped decide that Christians from other cultures did not need to follow all Jewish laws, such as circumcision. This was put in a message of the New Testament, Book of James.
James died for his faith around 62A.D. Jewish religious leaders took him to the Temple in an attempt to force him to renounce his faith in Jesus. When he refused, he was thrown from a height and, still being alive, was stoned to death. His feast day is celebrated on October 23rd.
The Why – I am the next-to-youngest sibling of seven and know, on a small scale, what it is like to grow up in the shadow of older, more industrious, talented, and more intelligent if not studious siblings. I was above average, but in a family of overachievers, I worked just a little harder for my successes. I can’t even begin to imagine the self-worth in the competitive nature in all of us to be seen equally at some level.
I can just imagine Jesus going off on His ministry, which took Him many places, unbeknownst to us in the undocumented Biblical history of His life. Leaving much of the time to his other half-siblings to help Mary and Joseph with the chores of everyday life, not to be confused with his disciples, who were Joseph, James, Josas (aka St. Jude), and Simon, and at least two sisters, as hinted in Mathew 13 and other accounts.
You can almost feel a silent resentment and possibly envy building in James and, in all likelihood, in his siblings, of whom at least six are hinted at in writings and scripture. Let’s face it, growing up in the shadow of Our Lord, maybe kept quiet, but for how long? Seriously, the stories of Saints Elizabeth & Joachim having a child (John the Baptist), heralded by an angel, and in their later years were heard.
Surely, they heard the stories of King Herod killing all the children under the age of two in an attempt to kill Our Lord out of existence at birth. The visit of the three Magi, who came bearing gifts of Gold, frankincense, and myrrh, and with a warning to flee into Egypt to escape King Herod’s wrath. The burden of that knowledge must have been a great weight on the entire family, as they had to keep as much of it as possible secret from the world around them in their travels.
How do you think you or I would respond under the same life-threatening circumstances with the weight of a whole power-mad King and kingdom trying to kill your entire family? Maybe someday these answers will be revealed in another place and time. But it certainly would be an interesting conversation with a younger sibling who was there and could share his feelings before and after.
Point to Ponder: To me, it comes as no surprise that Jesus shielded His family, knowing that Joseph and Mary would need help, and that His presence imposed great danger on them. Oh, to be a fly on the wall when, after being resurrected, Jesus appears to James. I would assume His other siblings, too, making them some of the earliest converts and evangelists. To hear the stories of St. Joseph and Mary, having them as parents and teachers growing up as just regular kids. Can you imagine?
Please write and Post a review! Available in Book, E*read, and Audio. Click the link below for a FREE LISTEN. Feel free to copy and share it this holiday season with your family and friends. Enjoy!
A Glimpse from Christmas Past Audiobook by D. C. Donahue
PS: Don’t forget to check out my newly released story, Available in book and E*read – A Chance Encounter with a Most Unusual Acquaintance
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