Gifts received and given

 Gifts: given and received

When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses…. Luke’s a little sketchy on the Jewish law, but he’s making a point.  Joseph, being a man, doesn’t need to be purified after the baby’s born, but for Luke this couple are in this together

they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, ‘Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord’)……..this child, this gift from God, is dedicated back to God, acknowledging the holiness of a newborn.  In the Baptist tradition, this still is the pattern—no longer just for boys; in our tradition, we bring children for baptism.  But rarely do we think seriously about the holiness of a child, indeed we don’t take the presentation of our children to God very seriously at all. We’re good at thinking our children are a gift FROM God, but we don’t actively raise them as if they were our gift TO God

and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, ‘a pair of turtle-doves or two young pigeons.’  Luke lets us know that Mary and Joseph are not well off; this is the law’s minimum requirement…..and yet they give.  Today we look at giving financially to God as an option.  Not for Joseph and Mary; they take their faith seriously and from the word go have been gift givers:  from giving up their reputations, giving over themselves to some hare-brained scheme of God’s, and now recognizing the future of their life, and their child, is to be given over to God.

 Now 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…….. Simeon too is a giver, he has given himself to the life of faith, not as if the faith is some ancient past story to be remembered, but ‘looking forward’ to what God will be doing.  And he is gifted, God has given him the Spirit.  We might pass over this quite quickly, but for Jews of the period it had been a long time since “the Holy Spirit rested on” anyone

It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah.  Not only was the HS just resting on him, but was active in him—he had been gifted with a sense that he wouldn’t die until the Messiah came.  And not only has he been gifted with that awareness, but he has also been…

Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; Simeon gives God and the world the gift of listening

and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying,
‘Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace,
   according to your word;
for my eyes have seen your salvation,
   which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
a light for revelation to the Gentiles
   and for glory to your people Israel.’

Simeon’s next gift is also to God: recognition of God’s work in his own life.   How often do we notice God’s work in our lives, God’s promises fulfilled?  Let alone acknowledge it?

 And the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him.  we have to be paying attention to what’s happening right in front of us; there are too many times we ignore or discount the words of others…I often wonder about the gift of awe and amazement…..it’s the one thing that does turn me to God without fail.

Then 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 so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your own soul too.’  This does not sound like much of a blessing, nor a gift.  The rise and fall of leaders and values, the exposure of our inner thoughts, deep personal hurt, not usually cause for celebration.

And we affirm, with strong hearts and confident voices, that God does not GIVE us suffering.  Yet many of us know that sometimes suffering brings gifts with it.  Simeon turned out to be right.  Bad stuff happens, but God always works to bring good out of it.

Next let’s hear from the first century letter to the congregation at Colossae

   Colossians 3:12-17

Continuing the theme of gifts: here we have a list of gifts we can give God by giving to the world.   what part of this don’t we get? One of the least difficult scriptures to understand: straightforward enough for us?

Clothe yourself with…..coats of compassion etc (children’s message)

We’re headed into the secular new year….my suggestion is to use this text as your basic new year resolution:  I’m thinking I will try one section a week to work on—to be intentional about each day, to practice all week

Week 1 Clothe yourself with compassion, Margaret                        week 2 clothe yourself with kindness                                                     week 3  clothe yourself with humility                                             week 4 clothe yourself with meekness                                           week 5 clothe yourself with patience                                             week 6 bear with one another                                                       week 7 forgive                                                                                week 8 love until it brings harmony                                                      week 9 let Christ’s peace rule in your heart                                            week 10 be thankful                                                                           week 11 Let the word of Christ dwell in you                                               

week 12 teach and admonish one another in all wisdom                       week 13 with gratitude sing!                                                         

week 14 whatever you do, word or action, do it in God’s name                  

week 15 give thanks

Thankfulness appears three times; that should tell us something

This is the gift we give back to God, and the gift we as the church must offer the world.

If you want to join me on this spiritual journey, our website will have the listing posted!