Faithful Conversations #44

Introduction to Readers:

The March of the Wise Men by Leopold Kupelwieser, 1825

Renewal is on my mind this week, with 2024 just around the corner. What should I let go of in my life that is holding me back? What should I embrace going forward? As Christians, these are good questions for all of us to consider. Christmas Day marked the start of “Twelvetide,” or the Twelve Days of Christmas, leading to the Epiphany, which marks the visit of the Magi — those wise men from the east — to Bethlehem. I suspect this language conjures up images and music for many of us (Is anyone hearing “We Three Kings” and/or “The Twelve Days of Christmas?”). Guided by a star, they felt compelled to see this child, born “King of the Jews” (their story is found in Matthew 2 — one of my favorite musicians, James Taylor, even wrote a song about their journey!). The Magi brought gifts to Jesus: gold (the symbol of kings), frankincense (a perfume representing divinity), and myrrh (an embalming oil that symbolized death). Intriguing characters, those Magi! As we move toward the New Year, and beyond, to Epiphany, let’s imagine that world and their amazing journey. As always, thanks for your continuing interest in studying the Bible!      

Note: I do utilize various hyperlinks within the body here for further exploration on your  part if interested! They are a different color and italicized. If you click out to the supplemental information, simply click back to return to the blog. The images included, mostly, are from Wikimedia Commons, and therefore are in the public domain. 

Readings for Christmas 1
Isaiah 61:10 – 62:3
Psalm 148
Galatians 4:4-7
Luke 2:22-40

Galatians 4: 4-7
⁴ But when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, ⁵ in order to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as children. ⁶ And because you are children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” ⁷ So you are no longer a slave but a child, and if a child then also an heir through God. 

The Gospel: Luke 2: 22-40: Jesus is Presented in the Temple
²² When 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”), ²⁴ and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”

Simeon and Anna by Rembrandt (1606-1669)

²⁵ 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. ²⁶ It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. ²⁷ Guided 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, ²⁸ Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying,

³³ And the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. ³⁴ 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 ³⁵ so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your own soul, too.”

Church of Simeon and Anna (Orthodox)
Located in Sysert, Russia

³⁶ There 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, ³⁷ then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped there with fasting and prayer night and day. ³⁸ At 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.

³⁹ When they had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. ⁴⁰ The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom, and the favor of God was upon him.

This Week’s Reflection: “Waiting and Hoping” 
For this week’s reflection, I will defer to Cory Driver who authors the Lectionary Blog in Living Lutheran, the ELCA’s monthly magazine (25 December 2023). He provides an excellent commentary on the story from Luke.  Click here to access the blog.

Also, note, the questions at the end of the blog related to the readings I included here from Luke and Galatians. We will use those for discussion on Sunday.  

Announcement Regarding Our Lectionary Discussions:

We will resume our post-worship discussion of the Lectionary this week after worship (10:45) in the library. All are welcome! Here are two questions that we will discuss (among others, I’m sure!):

1. How do you interpret the phrase, “in the fullness of time” in Galatians 4:4?  What do you think Paul meant by that? 
2.  If you had the opportunity, what questions would you want to ask Simeon, based on the account from Luke?  How about Anna? And, what about Mary? 

Again, we will discuss these in our in-person meeting after worship on Sunday, but FEEL FREE TO RESPOND HERE ALSO! (And, certainly, feel free to offer any other comments as well!).