December 30th, 2018
Devotional
“The Women of Christmas: Joy for Every Longing Heart” -
Luke 2: 21-40
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Monday: “Today is the Day” - Luke 2: 21-26
Mary and Joseph were still located in Bethlehem at this point - a five or six mile walk from the temple in Jerusalem. So they gathered their infant and their sacrifice, heading in the early morning hours for the temple. Maybe they were thinking of the much longer journey they had taken just a few weeks earlier that resulted in the birth of Jesus. Maybe they were still caught in awe of everything that has happened - the shepherds, the angels, the star. But nothing could have prepared them for the community they would encounter in the temple that day.
As Joseph presented the sacrifice of the birds to the priest, Jesus and Mary would have waited in the court of women. As Joseph approached, a movement caught their eye - an uncommon sight, an old man rushing towards them. Simeon isn’t described in scripture as a priest or a prophet, yet that is how he acted that day as he approached the couple. We are simply told that he is righteous and devout. We know nothing else about him other than the meaning of his name, “he has heard”. And he has heard, he has heard the call of the Holy Spirit within his heart prompting him to be at the temple that day. Somewhere along the time line of his life he had been told by God that he would not die without seeing the Messiah, and something tugged at his heart to tell him that today would be the day.
How do you think Simeon knew that he was to be at the temple that day?
How does the Holy Spirit prompt you?
Prayer: God, we thank you that your Holy Spirit leads us. However, we confess, most Precious Lord, that we do not always listen. Give us the heart of Simeon to perceive what you are doing and to respond, we pray. Amen.
Tuesday: “Proclamation” -Luke 2: 28-32
On one hand, Simeon seems eccentric, picking up the infant Jesus and holding him in his arms as a stranger. But sometimes the Holy Spirit leads us to do eccentric things, things other people won’t understand when we are so filled with the joy of the Lord. And Simeon was surely filled with such joy. We know his spiritual condition. Know that he was open to the movement of the Holy Spirit. And as he held the baby Jesus, words that must have shocked his parents started to flow. First he started with a blessing for both parents, telling them that this day he was beholding the Messiah with his very eyes, just as God had promised. Jesus was only about six weeks old at this point, yet in him Simeon saw eternity and salvation.
He went on to declare that this child would be the consolation of Israel. To console is to comfort, especially in the face of grief, and Israel surely has much to grieve. They have wandered into sin, even as God’s chosen people. They have doubted God’s promises. Broken God’s covenant. They have sought after salvation through Kings, prophets, wars, and the law, instead of seeking the heart of God. Now Jesus, would offer them true salvation, true restoration in their relationship with God. And now that Simeon knew that, now that he had laid eyes on the promised Messiah, he could die in peace.
How to Simeon’s words compare to the prophecies spoken by Zechariah and the words of Mary’s song of declaration from the previous chapter in Luke?
Prayer: Lord, when we look at the words of the Gospel, we recognize time and time again that your hand is at work, weaving life together. At the times when we may become impatient, may we wait and rest in your grace, trusting you and you alone. Amen.
Wednesday: “A Blessing” - Luke 2: 33-35
Watching people as they approach their death bed can either be enlivening for our spirits or heartbreaking. Sometimes you see people who just cannot let go, cannot leave their bodies behind because they feel that they have unfinished business, unspoken words, or unkept promises. Simeon was not like this - he now believed that he had been blessed by God and could die in peace. He had witnessed the one who would restore Israel.
After Simeon finished praising God he offered a word just for Mary, albeit not a comforting one at all. He told her that her son would be disliked by many and that her soul would be pierced. Could you imagine as a young mother hearing these words, especially on the day when you are dedicating your son? What must Mary have felt as she left Simeon’s presence? Had she been blessed?
How would you have responded if you were Mary hearing Simeon’s words?
Prayer: Lord, we recognize that word to us both comforts and challenges. May we ask for your wisdom and guidance as we hear what you have for us each day, as well as the strength to respond. Amen.
Thursday: “Anna” - Luke 2: 36-38
Shortly after meeting Simeon, Mary and Joseph were greeted with joy by the prophet Anna. As a female prophet, Anna was very rare. When I imagine Anna, I think of the quintessential story tale crone, very old, filled with wisdom but marginalized by society. Anna was marginalized because she was only married for seven years before her husband died. She didn’t bear any children, which we heard was seen as a sign of God’s displeasure when we studied the character of Elizabeth during Advent. Yet, Anna did something very odd in her widowhood at an early age - she didn’t try to remarry or have children ran to God in her heartbreak.
How many of us would do the same things? Run to God with our heartbreak and strive to serve the Kingdom of God first, even in our grief? We are told that Anna never left the temple, she worshiped and prayed and fasted night and day. What I love about this passage of scripture is that the words served and worshiped are used interchangeably, they were one and the same to Anna.
We don’t know if Anna overheard Simeon’s blessing, or if her heart too was tugged on by the Holy Spirit, but either way she began to praise God for Jesus. In fact, as soon as she opened her mouth, praise sprung forth. She was one of the first evangelists, telling everyone about this child.
How do you respond when you experience heartbreak in your life?
Prayer: Lord, may we turn to you, both in our joy and sorrow. May we give our whole lives, our whole hearts to you, at all times, like Anna did so long ago, asking that you use us for the work of your Kingdom. Amen.
Friday: “Returned” - Luke 2: 39-40
Mary and Joseph surely left the temple in shock from the prophecies and blessings. They entered to perform a standard sacrifice, just like Zechariah did for John, but left filled with messages of hope and unsettling words of what was to come for their son.
Could you imagine their trip back home? Did they talk about all that happened or were they too shocked to speak at all?
Sometimes it takes a while to reflect upon what God is doing in our lives, what God is communicating to us. May we hear, reflect, and respond, all in the name of Jesus.
How would you respond if you were Mary and Joseph to all that took place at the temple?
Prayer: Lord, we know that sometimes it takes us time to hear what you have said, to see what you have done, and to respond. May we seek you in our reflections and serve you in our response. Amen.
Saturday: Preparing for the Word
You are invited to read and pray this week’s text and topic: “The Women of Christmas: And All Eyes Shall See Him” - Matthew 2: 1-11
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