12262020 – Christmas I – Luke 2. 22-40
Another Christmas has passed – for some – it is over and done with…for all intents and purposes it maybe even packed away. The tree maybe already at the curb…or back in its box.
But for others of us…the glow of the season lingers on. We know and realize that Christmas is a season of 12 full days.
While many pack up their lights for another season, others want to hold on, to whatever they can.
Peace on earth. Goodwill toward all. Quiet, solitude, reflective moments, family and friends. Absences noted. Reminising. Nostalgia. Christmases of years gone by…Parties…maybe even, especially the parties, but IT AIN’T OVER, TILL IT’S OVER.
To those who know Jesus, and his body the church, we firmly hold that the Spirit of the season lives on, and on…and on…
In Luke’s gospel, “the Spirit of Christmas” not only lingers on, it actually GROWS STRONGER.
For God FAVORS his child with WISDOM and GRACE. And through this child he favors us ALL.
In Luke’s gospel, Joseph and Mary brought the baby Jesus to the Temple for two reasons: the child’s presentation and the mother’s purification. Luke used the ceremonies, the place, and the witnesses to further proclaim Jesus as the Christ, the son of the living God.
According to the book of Leviticus boys are to be circumcised eight days after birth…THEY STILL ARE…
According to Jewish TRADITION, this ceremony declared the son LEGITIMATE before God and the entire community.
A child’s mother was unclean for thirty-three days. Only after THAT PERIOD could the mother celebrate the rite of purification with an offering…and return to worship.
While Luke refers to the circumcision of Jesus eight days after his birth he combines the presentation aspect of circumcision with the purification of Mary in one simple ceremony.
Luke, in fact, used “the purification ceremony” to emphasize the presentation of Jesus, just as Hannah presented or dedicated) Samuel to God at the Temple.
The question remained, what type of SERVICE would Jesus offer?
Jesus would serve God as the Jewish Messiah or the Greek Christ of the underclass. He would serve ALL people.
Jesus’ parents were DEVOUT Jews, piously following the DICTATES of the Law. In fact, THEIR DEVOTION fulfilled the Law, just as Jesus fulfilled the Law and the Prophets.
Jesus was CALLED to be THE CHRIST or the MESSIAH. The location in the TEMPLE and the dialogue promote this title.
The Temple was the main place of Jewish devotion, they believed God definitely DWELT within its walls.
Popular Jewish belief held the coming Messiah would be a KING-PRIEST, who would rule and offer TRUE SACRIFICE.
The monologue of the two elderly witnesses emphasizes the “messianic theme.”
Simeon, the Spirit-filled-old-man, announced this child as the PROMISED ONE who would bring about the Day of Judgement (when the ENTIRE nation would be saved).
Simeon prayed to SEE the Messiah. The Spirit assured him that his prayer WOULD be answered. His Canticle was a prayer of THANKS and PRAISE. The child he held in his arms brought him God’s SHALOM or peace. For this Simeon gave THANKS.
At the same time, the NON-Jews would witness his rising. He would enlighten the GENTILES with God’s wisdom.
Next, Simeon turned to Mary (his mother) and proclaimed the child would cause the FALL and the RISING of many.
He would be A SIGN many opposed, but their actions would reveal their true intent.
The scandal-judgment of Jesus would cause Mary deep pain, hurt, and torment.
Finally, the people in the TEMPLE stressed the underclass, the down-todden, the forgotten, those living on the edge of society in poverty.
Notice who IS NOT in the passage, notice WHO IS NOT in the Temple: THE priests or other ANY Temple officials.
Steeped in money and privilege, these would later oppose Jesus in his ministry. They are not present at the beginning…but you had better believe they will be present at the end of his life.
In their absence from the passage, Luke emphasized God’s presence with the common-everyday-ordinary-pedestrian- people. The very people that Jesus came to love and to minister to…
Nope, the season of Christmas continues on…there is still more to ponder in our hearts…
Make sure you continue to share the spirit of Christmas with others…
Amen.