Jer. 31:10-13
Heb. 2:10-18
Luke 2:25-38
Psalm 111
This week we said good-by to the old year and ushered in the new. It is
always a special time for reflection and anticipation. In the Gospel
the evangelist tells us of the anticipation of Simeon and Anna as they
wait and watch for the Christ child.
Mary and Joseph are among hundreds walking the temple, going about
their ordinary business. It is remarkable that Simeon and Anna stumble
upon them.
The child Joseph and Mary bring into the temple is no ordinary child,
despite the ordinariness of His birth. They are startled by old
Simeon's extraordinary words and hardly know what to make of them.
Simeon reminds the parents that . . .
Jer. 31:10-13
Heb. 2:10-18
Luke 2:25-38
Psalm 111
This week we said good-by to the old year and ushered in the new. It is always a special time for reflection and anticipation. In the Gospel the evangelist tells us of the anticipation of Simeon and Anna as they wait and watch for the Christ child.
Mary and Joseph are among hundreds walking the temple, going about their ordinary business. It is remarkable that Simeon and Anna stumble upon them.
The child Joseph and Mary bring into the temple is no ordinary child, despite the ordinariness of His birth. They are startled by old Simeon's extraordinary words and hardly know what to make of them. Simeon reminds the parents that through their child God steps into the world and brings salvation. Suddenly there are no more ordinary days, for everything has been transformed by the presence of this child who is "God-with-us."
Simeon knows it will not always be easy. The salvation Jesus brings will be opposed. This Jesus will be the child of the cradle and the cross. It means the light has come into the world and the darkness cannot overcome it. We know it, too, for the bread and wine of the LORD'S Supper, God's salvation is placed into our hands to be our strength, or hope, and our joy.
When we die, we can depart, like Simeon, in peace. Baptized into the death Christ, we also will share the eternal springtime of His resurrection. No holiday or human can deliver what we long for, but we can find it in Christ Himself.
Come, Thou long-expected Jesus,
Born to set Thy people free;
From our fears and sins release us;
Let us find our rest in Thee.
PRAY - Direct us, O LORD, in all our actions by Your gracious favor, and further us with Your continual help that in all our works, begun, continued, and ended in Your name, we may glorify Your holy name and finally by, Your mercy receive eternal life. Amen