Luke 2:22-40 (NRSV)
Read Luke 2:22-40 on biblegateway.com
Verse 22When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord Verse 23(as it is written in the law of the Lord, "Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord"), Verse 24and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, "a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons."
Verse 25Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. Verse 26It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Messiah. Verse 27Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, Verse 28Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying, Verse 29"Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word; Verse 30for my eyes have seen your salvation, Verse 31which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, Verse 32a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel." Verse 33And the child's father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. Verse 34Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, "This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed Verse 35so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed-and a sword will pierce your own soul too." Verse 36There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, Verse 37then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped there with fasting and prayer night and day. Verse 38At that moment she came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem. Verse 39When they had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. Verse 40The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.
Devotion
Simeon was not alone on that day of the infant Jesus’ presentation in the temple. Just as Luke introduces Zechariah and Elizabeth, both of them “righteous,” at the beginning of his story (Luke 1:6), so now Simeon is here joined by Anna, significantly described as a faithful prophet, allied with him in seeing the birth of this child as the answer to all their prayers of hope for God’s work of salvation.
Perhaps the presence of both Simeon and Anna in Luke’s story are a symbol of the all-inclusive significance of Jesus’ birth. What is clear is how Anna becomes one of the first proclaimers of the good news, “praising God” and “speaking about the child to all who were looking for redemption.” Together they invite all of us who have so recently been inspired by the wonder of the Christmas story, to be renewed as heralds to our world of the good news of this Christ-child.
Prayer
O God of wonder, we praise you for your gift to us in the birth of Jesus. May the promise of your love continue to surround us as we live into each day of the surprising future that you have prepared for us in his Name. Amen.