The text of the presentation of Jesus at the temple is, I think, rich in story and imagery; and it sets the tone for so much of that which is to come. Here Jesus is deeply rooted in the history of this chosen people straining to understand the mystery of God, and here too He is identified among the poor, those who could only afford the humble offering of birds. Most of these characters make but a fleeting appearance, encounters one assumes the child Jesus will not even recall, but into whose words and actions are placed the foretelling of the joy and the sorrow of all that is ahead.
Above all, for me (this year at least) the presentation is about promise. It is about promises fulfilled in unexpected ways, and promises proffered from places of prayer. It is about a God who makes promises, and who keeps them, but whose faithfulness reveals itself in surprising, unexpected and sometime uncomfortable ways ... it is about a God I can believe in.
Luke 2: 22-24
When the time came for the purification rites required by the Law of
Moses, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it
is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated
to the Lord”), and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law
of the Lord: “a pair of doves or two young pigeons.”
A
child of God
Given
to God
For
the price of a pigeon
The
payment of the poor
Offer,
purity,
and promise
Luke 2: 25-28
Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and
devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was
on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die
before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the
temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what
the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God,
A
man of God
Listening
to God
Revelation
of the future
Cradled
in elderly arms
Patience,
praise,
and promise
Luke 2: 29-32
Saying: “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant
in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the
sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of
your people Israel.”
A
message of God
Sung
back to God
Fulfillment of the past
Possibility
for the future
Light,
glory,
and promise
Luke 2: 33-35
The child’s father and mother marvelled at what was said about him.
Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined
to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will
be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a
sword will pierce your own soul too.”
A
blessing of God
Eyes
turned to God
An
offer of inclusion
The
disturbance of accepted normality
Possibility,
pain,
and promise
Luke 2: 36-38
There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of
Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her
marriage, and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the
temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. Coming up to them at
that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who
were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.
A
prophet of God
Dedication
to God
From
faithful, prayerful presence
Eyes
rest on the hope of redemption
Gratitude,
prophesy,
and promise.
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