The First Sunday after Christmas, 29 Dec 24 | A Sermon on Luke 2:22-40 | by David H. Brooks, STS |

Luke 2:22-40 English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles

^{22When the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, [Mary and Joseph] brought [Jesus] up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23(as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”) 24and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.” 25Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, 28he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said,}

^{29“Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace,}

^{according to your word;}

^{30for my eyes have seen your salvation}

              ^{31that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,}

^{32a light for revelation to the Gentiles,}

              ^{and for glory to your people Israel.”}

              ^{33And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. 34And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed 35(and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”}

              ^{36And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, 37and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. 38And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.}

              ^{39And when they had performed everything according to the Law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. 40And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him.}

THE CHURCH IS FOR EVERY AGE AND STAGE 

Part of the power of Christmas is its ability to focus our attention on children. Clearly, the various birth narratives (first John, then Jesus) we hear during December do their part, but the clout of Santa Claus, the intense nostalgia, and the family emphasis of the season put children front and center.

However, most children do not care about–nor are they prepared to be—front and center. For churches, this can cause all kinds of hand wringing over children in worship. Being quiet when you want to say something, standing still in one place when you know you must run, or keeping your hands to yourself when others are receiving something intriguing are all moments of challenge that countless adults find difficult. Many a pastor knows that parents hold their breath and hope not to die when their youngster goes forward for the children’s sermon—who knows what their son or daughter will blurt out or do!

Luke tells a story of two young parents who have brought their child to worship. Now, since their son is a newborn, they don’t have to worry about him stage whispering during the service “Mom, if we give that man his money now, can we go home?” But they do have another challenge, one many new parents face, where strangers press upon them and their child for their own purposes. Two persons in the Temple decide that they have to say something to the couple—a man named Simeon, and a woman named Anna. In this encounter, we see the truth of Church: why God’s children of all ages and stages need one another, and why growth as a part of God’s people happens not just for the young, but for all of us.

Let’s first look at the parents. Joseph and Mary bring the infant Jesus to the Temple to do for him as the Law of Moses requires (we heard the content of the Law in our Exodus passage). Whatever that might mean for the infant, the mother and father are being obedient, which is just another way of saying they are being faithful to something outside themselves.It is not simply a pious opinion, where Mary and Joseph think “well, it would be good for Jesus to get some religious instruction.” Jesus’ parents show themselves being a part of something that is bigger than they are, bigger than their own individual desires or personal beliefs or cultivated judgments. One of the most important things that parents can do is give to their children an integrated view of life, with a recognition that each of us participates in something that is larger than we are, something sturdy and reliable. And since none of us can give as a gift something we don’t have, for Mary and Joseph to provide that for their son, they must participate in it themselves.

Now, we have Simeon and Anna. Simeon has been waiting and yearning for that opportunity to see the sign of God’s promise. Notice how this event progresses: he comes to the Temple under the prodding of the Spirit—suggesting that he is not there constantly. Without the Spirit’s guidance, he might have missed this moment! But he goes, and he is blessed—the blind one sees the deeper truth and glory—Israel’s vindication is at hand! He has received a precious gift, he has received consolation, he has been strengthened in hope. And, in turn, he gives something to those parents. Mary and Joseph are not complete in themselves, but they are still growing, becoming as a part of God’s people. In verse 33, Luke uses a word that suggests the kind of wonder and awe that arises when you see or experience something you did not expect but you realize you sorely need, a moment that takes your breath away, maybe moves you to tears.  The word Simeon speaks to Mary is not entirely pleasant, but it is a faithful word that bestows wisdom, that steels her for the path she will walk. While Simeon’s ministry is focused on the parents, Anna has a word of encouragement, a word of Good News for everyone else. She has been patient, she has been on the watch, and because she, by God’s grace, is ready to recognize what is happening, others in the Temple that day are blessed.

And then there is the child. Notice that while the child is the reason for everyone being there, we cannot really say that the infant Jesus receives directly any benefit from being there. Yes—by the time the ceremony is over, he is in a right relationship with God, for as a first born he must be redeemed. But—as best I can tell, so let’s assume—Jesus slept through the whole thing. His presence was ministry to the adults. Jesus was serving them. Joseph, Mary, Simeon, Anna, those others present in the Temple: all were blessed. So, parents, do not forget—by baptism, your children are able ministers of the Most High God, able in the power of Jesus to bless. Brothers and sisters, do not make the mistake of thinking we minister to children, we minister with them, for they have the wonderful power of putting us in the posture of servants, as Luther so brilliantly observed. And do not think that your children have not place among God’s people at worship. They belong here, God intends for them to be here, and we do damage to God’s people when we take servants God desires for this parish to another, assuming it doesn’t matter where you are as long as you are somewhere. That is not obedience, but substituting convenience in its place.

For this place – this community – is not about convenience but about joy, it is about growing in the Spirit and encouraging one another in our walk with our Lord, it is about sharing with one another the wonder of God’s blessed work and the sting of earthly sorrow, it is about the life we share with Emmanuel, God with us. Amen.

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©David H. Brooks

   Pr.Dave.Brooks@Zoho.com

   Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church

   Durham, NC USA