Joseph and Mary presented Jesus in the temple, as was their custom, for circumcision and naming of the child. The 12 days of Christmas song comes to mind as we read about their bringing 2 turtle doves as an offering.

Simeon, righteous & devout, looked with expectation for the consolation of his people. The Holy Spirit gave him a confirmation that in his lifetime he would see the messiah. The Holy Spirit nudged him to come to the temple that day.

I wonder, I wonder if he went many days simply going through the motions. I believe you will come Lord, help my unbelief. I wonder if maybe he sometimes doubted, but hope against hope he kept going into the temple. He was righteous and devout. Studying the holy scripture, praying, being in the place where God’s words were spoken, week after week.

Then a nudge, the Holy Spirit said go today. I wonder if he may have thought, OK, he goes nothing. Maybe I am reading too much into it. But after the hype has settled, I wonder if he was not so sure but went anyway. It reminds me of John Wesley’s journal entry about his Aldersgate experience, “I went to church very unwillingly” and that day his heart was strangely warmed.

Simeon, nudged by the spirit, went to the synagogue, went into the temple and the rest is history. He saw the Christ child. He could die and go to heaven and rest in peace because what he had been waiting for is here! Before his very eyes, he has seen the healing presence of God. All he longed for is here. A light to the Gentiles, that is us, the outsiders, a light shining to see God’s presence. And glory to Israel.

His parents are amazed at this. What must Mary and Joseph be thinking? We know that Mary pondered all of this in her heart.

Simone wasn’t through. He said this child is destined for the fall and the rise of the people. And a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed.

We are still studying this. How can one man change the world? Perhaps through one heart at a time. We keep studying the sign, the cross, the significance. There are big theological words like atonement theories. But maybe someday we will study war no more and accept that we are accepted and stop fighting it and others. Our inner motives and deceptions will be revealed and brought to light by this one child, this one person. And a sword will pierce her soul. That is not what Mary wants to hear at Christmas.

There will be difficult days ahead, but this is the presence of God. And that is good news.

In addition to Simeon, a very old man. There was Anna a very old woman, a prophet at that. The text is clear about stating she is old. Married, 7 years and a widow 84 years – is she 84 or 84 plus 7, I don’t worry about which. I have met Anna. She was in the temple day and night. I have met her. I have met many Anna’s who are in the church every time the door is open. Working, worshiping, praying, showing hospitality, studying the Bible, you name it. Have you met her? Have you met an Anna?

And then we she sees Jesus. Where? In church of all places!! Yes, sometimes God is even in church still today. I wonder if she at times was going through the motions, out of habit, out of duty. And yet she was able to see God in church. The Shepherds were working the graveyard shift, at night, just working and God came to them, a host of angels came. Sometimes in the midst of work, God shows up. And I know that people tell me I can see God and meet God at the lake or beach or mountains. Yes, and sometimes God shows up in church. So we keep at it. We keep singing, we keep giving our offerings, we keep reading the holy word, we keep singing and we keep praying, because sometimes we meet God in Church.

She then told others what she saw. She told all those who were looking for redemption in Jerusalem.

We are called to be like Anna. Because there are still people out there seeking, looking, hoping, longing for God. And we can share what we saw and heard and have experienced.

Let us go and tell.

We will put away decorations soon, this is when the Christmas message starts. Let us like Anna, go and tell. Let us rest in the assurance like Simon, peace has come into the world. There will be turmoil and the deception and illusions of others will be revealed by God, but we can depart in peace because God is here. What we have longed for is here. It may be a bit of a let down after our family leaves or we are not going to their homes for celebrations of the holidays, but the work and the joy is now beginning. This is good news.

Thanks be to God, AMEN.