Blessing God – Luke 2:28
Simeon had waited a long time. He had been told by the Spirit that he would see the Lord’s Christ before he died. He had been promised. Certainly he must have been challenged, perhaps ridiculed because of his belief. Each day he waited and each day was completed with his prayer of seeing the Christ child. Then the day came. Led by the Spirit, he waited and as Joseph and Mary entered the temple carrying the baby Jesus, his wait was over.
Taking Jesus into his arms, Simeon blessed Him with the words that identified this baby as the Savior, a light for all people. Then a prophetess, Anna, “began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.” And Joseph and Mary marveled about the blessings their son had received and what had been said about him. Hope was given by a promise and, when kept, hope was magnified.
Question of the Week: Why did Mary and Joseph and baby Jesus go to the temple 40 days after Jesus was born?
Answer: Jesus was presented to the Lord. In addition, the ceremonial laws given through Moses to the people of Israel commanded that the mother of a son be purified by going to the temple 40 days after the birth and offer sacrifices.
New Year Schedule
On Jan. 5, we begin a series called “”Brave New World” and resume our Sunday School and LifeGroups at 9:15 a.m.
Scrip and Recycling For Cash
Consider using SCRIP cards for groceries and many other purchases. Obtain your SCRIP cards from Lynette Windhorst. Mike Hagerbaumer will have his pickup at the “Church” parking lot collecting aluminum cans before and after the first church service of each month. The proceeds will go to the New Church Building Fund.
