"Attuned to God's Timing" (Luke 2:22-40)

There are several reasons why I’m sharing this week’s Gospel readings with you …
1.) To share Rachel Hackenberg’s weekly prayer prompt
2.) To share a little story about what a kid perceived as the meaning of my name
3.) To share the glorious work of John August Swanson, called “The Presentation”

The scriptures are of the presentation of the Infant Jesus by Mary and Joseph in the temple.  Simeon, a righteous and devout man, was guided by the Spirit into the temple where he took Jesus into his arms and praised God, saying “… my eyes have seen your salvation.”  Then, a prophet named Anna (84 years old and a widow who never left the temple, but worshiped and praised God day and night), came to them and immediately recognized the Christ-child as the redemption.  It’s a wonderful account of Mary and Joseph presenting their firstborn to God “according to the law” yet their firstborn (Jesus) being recognized and proclaimed as salvation.  Again, please read the scriptures!

One Sunday, a group of young people in our church were talking about what their names meant.  I was standing by the kids and said, “Do you know what my name means?”  One said, “Yes … an old woman who hangs around the church all of the time!”  Ouch!  But later I was pleased that he knew the scriptures (somewhat) and that my hope is that I might recognize Jesus whenever and however he might be presented to me.  So, aside from the “old woman” comment made by the young boy (surely, he needs glasses), I’m OK with his perception of what my name might mean.

This morning, Rachel Hackenberg’s email prayer prompt really brought home the “active waiting” portion of how these scriptures might speak to each of us.  As we close out 2017 and step into 2018, let us consider her words:

(Rachel Hackenberg’s prayer prompt 12-30-17)

When the time came ... guided by the Spirit, Simeon came to the temple and took the child Jesus in his arms and praised God, saying, "Now you are dismissing your servant in peace, for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared without secrecy among all people. (Luke 2:22-32, excerpts)

Simeon came to the temple at just the right time, having disciplined his spirit to attune itself to God's timing and not to his own impatience.

We all live with a bit of expectation: waiting for a new day, waiting for a new year, waiting for a better political climate, waiting for a long-awaited joy or a much-needed relief or a nail-biting resolution. As you wait, pray for your spirit to find peace in God's timing.

(Thank you, Rachel Hackenberg)