Luke 2:22 When the time came for their purification according to the Torah of Moshe, they took him up to Yerushalayim to present him to Adonai 23 (as it is written in the Torah of Adonai, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to Adonai”[Luke 2:23 Exodus 13:2, 12, 15]) 24 and also to offer a sacrifice of a pair of doves or two young pigeons,[Luke 2:24 Leviticus 12:8] as required by the Torah of Adonai.
25 There was in Yerushalayim a man named Shim‘on. This man was a tzaddik, he was devout, he waited eagerly for God to comfort Isra’el, and the Ruach HaKodesh was upon him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Ruach HaKodesh that he would not die before he had seen the Messiah of Adonai. 27 Prompted by the Spirit, he went into the Temple courts; and when the parents brought in the child Yeshua to do for him what the Torah required, 28 Shim‘on took him in his arms, made a b’rakhah to God, and said,
29 “Now, Adonai, according to your word,
your servant is at peace as you let him go;
30 for I have seen with my own eyes your yeshu‘ah,
31 which you prepared in the presence of all peoples —
32 a light that will bring revelation to the Goyim
and glory to your people Isra’el.”
33 Yeshua’s father and mother were marvelling at the things Shim‘on was saying about him. 34 Shim‘on blessed them and said to the child’s mother, Miryam,
“This child will cause many in Isra’el to fall and to rise,
he will become a sign whom people will speak against;
35 moreover, a sword will pierce your own heart too.
All this will happen in order to reveal many people’s inmost thoughts.”
36 There was also a prophet named Hannah Bat-P’nu’el, of the tribe of Asher. She was a very old woman — she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage 37 and had remained a widow ever since; now she was eighty-four. She never left the Temple grounds but worshipped there night and day, fasting and praying. 38 She came by at that moment and began thanking God and speaking about the child to everyone who was waiting for Yerushalayim to be liberated.
39 When Yosef and Miryam had finished doing everything required by the Torah of Adonai, they returned to the Galil, to their town Natzeret.
40 The child grew and became strong and filled with wisdom — God’s favor was upon him.(Complete Jewish Bible)
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Simeon had an experience that perhaps many of us long for in our life--to see or know the future. God revealed to him the fulfillment of God's promise before his death. Simeon understood what God was doing, even what would befall Jesus and Mary, and what that meant for the future. Now that was truly a marvelous gift. This Christmas perhaps you were missing a loved one--someone who at their death had received the fulfillment of God's promise to them at their baptism. But then it was at the grave side when you heard that promise shared again with you as well. Simeon understood that the message of Jesus was good news, especially for the living, because those who had died were already in the presence of God. In this time after Christmas, may you be reminded of the promise that comes in Jesus Christ--now and forever!
Eternal Lord, you give us the gift of life. Help us to hear more clearly the promise that you have given to us. The promise that while on this journey of life and faith we may journey with you, and continue in your presence for all eternity. Help us not to keep the message of the good news to ourselves, but to share it in our words and lives with all whom we encounter. Amen.
Nathan Strong, '11
Pastor, Grace Lutheran Church, Carrollton, Texas
Luke 2:22 When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord
23 (as it is written in the law of the Lord, "Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord"),
24 and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, "a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons."
25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him.
26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Messiah.
27 Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law,
28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying,
29 "Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word;
30 for my eyes have seen your salvation,
31 which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel."
33 And the child's father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him.
34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, "This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed
35 so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed--and a sword will pierce your own soul too."
36 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,
37 then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped there with fasting and prayer night and day.
38 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.
39 When they had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth.
40 The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him. (The Revised Standard Version)
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Galatians 4:4 but when the appointed time arrived, God sent forth his Son. He was born from a woman, born into a culture in which legalistic perversion of the Torah was the norm, 5 so that he might redeem those in subjection to this legalism and thus enable us to be made God’s sons. 6 Now because you are sons, God has sent forth into our hearts the Spirit of his Son, the Spirit who cries out, “Abba!” (that is, “Dear Father!”). 7 So through God you are no longer a slave but a son, and if you are a son you are also an heir.(Complete Jewish Bible)
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"When the fullness of time had come," Paul writes. As you read through the Christmas story again, do you notice who really realizes what is happening? No one. No one realizes that God is doing something in the world until the angels declare it to the shepherds. Perhaps it is months or even several years before the Magi or "wise men" from the East come to honor Jesus. They witness the signs of a great event in the stars. Yet, God's chosen people do not yet realize what God is doing among them. At Christmas, the ones who get the most excited are the children. Perhaps this year, we as adults need to learn from our children about the excitement and amazing quality of this gift given to us. God has made you part of the family. You do not have to sit at the kids table to get a taste of things from a distance. You and I are now at the table with all the good stuff.
Lord, allow us to see more clearly and more fully the excitement and wonder that this life has to offer us. Allow us to share the wonderful gift that you have given to us through your Son, Jesus Christ. Let us not build division, but invite others to your table and your family, so that we can be a part of your work in the world, now and forever. Amen
Nathan Strong, '11
Pastor, Grace Lutheran Church, Carrollton, Texas
Galatians 4:4 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law,
5 in order to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as children.
6 And because you are children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!"
7 So you are no longer a slave but a child, and if a child then also an heir, through God. (The Revised Standard Version)
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