December 31, 2023 Sermon
Guest Preacher: Myra Achuff
Sermon Title: Now What?
Gospel Reading: Luke 2:22-40
Luke 2:22-40
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 23(as it is written in the law of the Lord, "Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord"), 24and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, "a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons." 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. 26It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Messiah. 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, 28Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying, 29"Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word; 30for my eyes have seen your salvation, 31which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, 32a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel." 33And the child's father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. 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 35so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed--and a sword will pierce your own soul too." 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, 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. 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. 39When they had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. 40The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.
NOW WHAT?
Are you still singing Christmas songs? Christmas was over six days ago.
Are you going to keep buying presents and decorating and all that stuff?
Are you still on the Christmas “high,”?
Sadly, by the first Sunday after Christmas, most people are tired of it all and grateful to see the holidays come to an end. They don’t want to hear any more Christmas music. They don’t want to talk about the birth of Jesus anymore. They are done with all of it, exhausted from it, and ready to move on to something else. Perhaps it is just human nature to pour ourselves into planning for holidays, celebrations, festivals, and trips-of-a-lifetime, only to be ready for these events to be over almost as soon as they finally arrive.
But in sharp contrast to the world, the church is just getting started talking about the hope that has been born into the world in Jesus Christ. It is not the end of the story for us. It is just the beginning!
We spent all the time in Advent getting ready, and then came Christmas day. - the final day in a long and sometimes confusing season. Remember when we were young and working and had kids? You know, Advent and all the getting ready time… impatiently getting ready for THE BIG DAY.
But listen to the scripture the lectionary used today, Simeon, and the prophet, Anna, in the temple. Simeon was awestruck by the presence of the child, and he knew that this was not the end but the beginning of something that would completely transform the world.
We can be happy about the Baby Jesus, but the real focus is on the man, Jesus of Nazareth, Jesus Christ. He’s the one who teaches us how to live in relationship with God and with one another. He’s the one who models what it means to truly be God’s people. Christmas Day is just the beginning of a great transforming journey.
Tomorrow is the beginning of the new year- 2024… but today, as Christmas continues, the challenge is to carry the spirit of Christmas with us into that year, in our outlook, our hope, our joy and peace.
To do that, we must Let go of fear. Keep yourself open to God. We must be open to the peace and purpose that Christ has brought into the world at his birth.
The Christmas tree lights have dimmed.
The once-wrapped gifts have been shared.
But the awesome love of God still shines brightly in our hearts.
Our spirits resound with the good news of salvation.
Myra Achuff
