Presentation – 2025

2nd February 2025 – After Jesus’ birth, Mary fulfils the Jewish rite of purification after childbirth. This rite, points to the fact that children are gifts from God.  Like all godly parents, Mary and Joseph raised their son in the knowledge of God.  He, in turn, was obedient to them and grew in wisdom and grace. The Lord’s favour is with those who listen to his word and act upon it. 
 
Simeon’s encounter with the baby Jesus and his mother in the temple reveals that he was a just and devout man who was in tune with the Holy Spirit. He believed that the Lord would return to his temple in Jerusalem and renew his chosen people. The Holy Spirit also revealed to him that the Messiah would bring salvation to the all nations.  The Holy Spirit reveals the presence of the Lord to those who are receptive and sincerely wish to receive him. 
 
We know that Jesus is the new temple (John 1:14; 2:19-22). In the Old Testament God manifested his presence in the “pillar of cloud” by day and the “pillar of fire” by night as he led the Hebrews through the wilderness following their freedom from slavery In Egypt. When the first temple was built in Jerusalem God’s glory came to rest there among His people (1 Kings 8).  After the first temple was destroyed, the prophet Ezekiel saw God’s glory leave it (Ezekiel 10).  But God promised one day to fill it with even greater glory (Haggai 2:1-9; Zechariah 8-9).  That promise is fulfilled when the “King of Glory” himself comes to his temple (Psalm 24:7-10; Malachi 3:1). Through Jesus’ coming in the flesh and through his saving death, resurrection, and ascension we are made living temples of his Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 3:16-17) because by the gift of grace we become what Christ is by nature. The Divine presence is now spread throughout the whole world.
 
Simeon blessed Mary and Joseph and he prophesied to Mary about the destiny of this child and the suffering she would undergo for His sake.  There is a certain paradox for those blessed by the Lord.  Mary was given the blessedness of being the mother of the Son of God.  That blessedness also would become a sword which pierced her heart as her Son died upon the cross.  She received both a crown of joy and a cross of sorrow.  But her joy was not diminished by her sorrow because her joy was upheld by her faith and hope in God and his promises.  Jesus promised his disciples that “no one will take your joy from you” (John 16:22).  The Lord gives us a joy which enables us to bear our sorrow or pain and which neither life nor death can take way. 
 
Simeon was not alone in recognizing the Lord’s presence in the temple.  Anna, too, was filled with the Holy Spirit.  Anna was pre-eminently a woman of great hope and expectation that God would fulfil all his promises. She is a model of godliness to all believers as we advance in age.  Advancing age and the trials of life can easily make us yearn for the past if we do not place our hope in God and his promises. Anna never ceased to worship God in faith and to pray with hope.  This hope is the desire for the Kingdom of Heaven and blessings of eternal life. With Christ as our light let us be a beacon of hope for all who search for the justice and truth of God.