At Home with Life
Luke 2:22-40
22And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord; 23(As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;) 24And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons. 25And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.
26And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ. 27And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, 28Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, 29Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: 30For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, 31Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; 32A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel. 33And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him. 34And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against; 35(Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed. 36And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity; 37And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. 38And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem. 39And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth. 40And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.
What is it for which you’ve waited your entire life….or for what seems to be a lifetime? Have you experienced or received that for which you’ve waited?
“If I could just…(fill in the blank)......I could die in peace.”
Simeon said, “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel…” Without getting political or judgmental, who/what might Simeon describe today that might be caused by Jesus to rise or to fall?
Now that Christmas is over, has the light of Christmas Eve already faded? How might we keep that flame kindled in our spirits so that it continues to light our way and to reflect the light of Christ to others?
Home and family: we’ve been redefining these terms throughout Advent. How might we live into the definition of home as that place where we are in the presence of God? How might we live into the definition of family to mean all people of God, rather than look at marital status or children in the house?
TODAY'S PREACHER
Debbie Reese is Co-Directing Pastor of Calvary UMC
