Christmas 1
Preparation
Please begin by reading Luke 2:22-40 in your Bible. If you do not have one at hand, we have provided that text for you at the end of this reflection.
Reflection--We Are The Family of God
Within Luke 2 the underlying theme is one of obedience. Jesus as a boy comes from a family living according to the expectations of Jewish law. They first have Jesus circumcised and then present him to the temple along with a gift of two doves. The consecration of Jesus fulfilled the law of Exodus, which stated that the firstborn male belongs to God and must be redeemed. What our story does not tell us is that by law, the parents of a male child were allowed to redeem or ransom the offered child for the price of five shekels, but no such ransom was offered for Jesus, indicating that he was to remain in the service of God until he would offer his own life for the redemption of humankind.
A preview of the life of Jesus is summarized in the prophecy of Simeon when he mentions peace, fulfillment, saving deeds, all peoples, and light and glory signaling the onset of the long-awaited era of salvation. These were the traditional hallmarks associated with the promised Messiah. Simeon proclaims that the messianic era is to be realized through the words and works of Jesus. However, as we know, this realization comes to pass only through conflict, division, suffering and a sword of piercing sorrow for Mary and for Jesus as well as those who accept and follow Jesus as Messiah.
Anna also recognizes and acclaims Jesus as the instrument of God’s deliverance of her people. Through her widowhood devoted to worship, prayer and fasting, she expresses eloquently what she knows about Jesus and about what he will accomplish. By living her life as she did, she is open to the spirit and able to speak about Jesus to others. Her witness without words is an example for all of Jesus’ followers of what life following Jesus is to be like, we speak with our lips but we are most powerful as witnesses when our message is lived daily in our lives.
This story underscores the importance of family as the living shelter within which each of us grows and develops to maturity and beyond. The word family, derived from its Latin root ‘famulus’, which means servant, shows us that family is that place where each serves the other, placing the needs, interests, desires and delights of the other before their own.
As members of the family of God, we are called to be in communion with God the Parent, and with others who are also members of God’s family, both the spiritual ancestors and those around the world who are our brothers and sisters. This connectedness means being of service to others as a necessary consequence of our membership in God’s family.
Maw Barker
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Luke 2:22-40
When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought [the infant Jesus] up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, "Every firstborn male shall 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 turtledoves or two young pigeons."
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 upon 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, saying, "Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may 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."
The child's father and mother marveled 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 the 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."
There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then had been a widow for eighty-four years. She never left the temple but worshiped day and night, 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.
When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, he was filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon him. [TNIV]