Thoughts of Faith in the Days After Christmas
by Pastor Edwin Lehmann on December 29, 2023
First Sunday after Christmas; New Year’s Eve December 31, 2023
Text: Luke 2:25-38 Historic Series 23:2421
Theme: Thoughts of Faith in the Days after Christmas
Part 1: Unknowns, Unassuming People, Yet Blessed in Faith.
If you could come up with one word that best describes yourself, what would it be? One word to describe you.
How could you pick one word to describe yourself? There are many different aspects to our lives. Besides that, it’s difficult to judge ourselves objectively; to see ourselves for what we really are; to see ourselves as others see us; to see ourselves as God sees us. Now that would be interesting to know. How does God see us?
How did God see the people connected with Jesus’ birth? What was it about them that God saw fit to incorporate them into the coming of His Christ? They were the unknowns in the world, hidden in obscurity, veiled even to us. Think about it.
How much do you really know about the angels, the shepherds, the Wise Men, even Mary? And we know very little about Simeon. How old was he? What did he do for a living? Was he priest? Parishioner? Married? Single? Father? Grandfather? How did the Holy Spirit talk to him? There are so many unknowns about him.
One of the few things and the first thing Luke tells us about Simeon is that he “was righteous and devout.” By ‘righteous,’ he means Simeon acted rightly toward God and his neighbor. ‘Devout’ tells us that he was zealous in the service of God. Then Luke adds, “He was waiting for the consolation (comfort) of Israel and the Holy Spirit was on him.” Simeon’s piety and fear of God were not just good habits or desires by which he wanted to impress people about himself. No! They were fruits of a living faith that humbly, in an unassuming manner, awaited the coming of the Messiah.
So it was that we are told, “Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts.” He did not go to the temple out of mere habit or self-righteous motives, seeking to be noticed by people or to do some work to earn something from God. He approached God’s house by the Spirit, with a burning heart, full of spiritual life and holy hunger for God’s Word. Here was an unknown, unassuming believer who did not delay his repentance and conversion, but humbly turned to God. In such humility of faith, God “revealed to him that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.” Siemon was blessed in faith.
Did this puff him up in pride? Did it give him a false sense of security in himself? Did it send him out to foolishly enjoy life to the fullest without any thought of tomorrow? Far from it. The more certain Simeon was of his life in the coming Christ, the more he lived his life with greater zeal in love to God, in service to his neighbor, and in godly preparation of faith for a blessed end.
If we also would live and die in a joyful and blessed manner, we must like unknown and unassuming Simeon prepare ourselves by a truly godly and God-fearing life of faith, looking to Christ alone for consolation and salvation as we long for His coming.
Part 2: Blessed with Arms that Hold Him and Eyes that See Him
An unknown stranger steps forward, unannounced. He takes a child from its parents and utters mixed words of joy and trouble. What a shock those words must have caused! But not for Simeon. The eyes of his heart saw in this Child something that only the Spirit could reveal. He saw the Savior for whom he long had waited. The sight made him bold. So focused was he on this Child and what He would be, that Simeon forgot everything else – even the reaction of protective parents. Taking the Child in his arms, Simeon prayed, “Lord, You now dismiss Your servant in peace, according to Your word, because my eyes have seen Your salvation that You have prepared before the face of all people.”
“My eyes have seen it!” After years of waiting, the climactic hour of Simeon’s life had arrived – the Savior had come to free (dismiss) him from sin. No need to anguish anymore over past sins. No more angst for the future. No more anxiety about death. The Savior had arrived to take care of it. The Fall in Eden would be overcome, and Satan’s power crushed. With sin paid for, Simeon’s heart was at rest. Such eternal rest comes to the eye that sees the Savior and holds Him for what He is – God’s ransom for sin.
Sadly, not all eyes see it and few hearts believe it. Many reject it, even dare to speak against Him. Simeon prophesied, “This child is appointed for the falling and rising of many in Israel and for a sign that is spoken against so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” And to Mary “a sword will pierce your own soul too.”
Strange words to tell a happy mother about her new-born child – “a sword will pierce your own soul”? Somber words, indeed.
As Simeon held the Christ-Child in his arms, he could see, as it were, the grim arms of the cross casting its gloomy shadow over the tiny form he beheld. Calvary, the cross, the crucifixion, the mother of Jesus weeping at His feet – all sweep like swiftly moving pictures before Simeon’s aged and dimming eyes. The young mother could not yet know, so he speaks in shadows. But Simeon would rejoice as few others could. “My eyes have seen it; my arms have held it. Lord, now let me depart in peace!”
This is the way a person of faith, who has served the Lord unassumingly in life, dies. He had already experienced the horrors of death in his repentance and overcame them in the blood of Christ. He knows that blood of Jesus cleanses from all sin (1Jn.1:7). He knows there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Ro.8:1). He knows that his Savior will be at the right hand of God, interceding for him (Ro.8:33f). Death is fully disarmed of its horror. Instead, it ironically comes as a messenger of peace or in the words of St. Paul, “to die is gain for me” (Phlp.1:21).
Old servants of the Lord like Simeon are not distressed as they are removed from their work in this world. On the contrary, they rejoice. They do not grieve long; they do not sorrow long; they are not frightened long for themselves or their loved ones for they know that the Lord never forsakes His own (Hb.13:5), and that God will be with those whom he loves (Gn.48:21). In his body the old servant of the Lord lays aside a burden that often pressed him hard with sickness, pain, toil, and distress. And instead takes on the glorified body Christ has won for him. Such a one longingly awaits eternity’s dawn. Therefore, death is not death. Rather, it is a blessed journey into the mansions of eternal peace above.
This is the way a person of faith, who unassumingly served the Lord in life, lives and dies. He rejoices, “My eyes have seen Him, my arms have held Him – my Savior! Lord, I depart in peace.”
Part 3: …blessed with lives that reveal Him.
Long before the Savior was born, the psalmist prayed (71:18), “Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, O God, till I declare Your power to the next generation.” It was David’s prayer. He saw God active in his life in wonderful ways and did not want to close his eyes in death until he had the chance to praise the goodness of God towards him. “When I am old and gray…let me declare Your power to the next generation.”
We assume that Simeon was “old and gray” when he saw Jesus. We can’t be sure; we only make that assumption. However, Anna had to be over 100 years old. Wow! That’s about all we know of her. Another unknown. She was a widow who was also waiting for the Messiah. The Bible says she “never left the temple” and “worshipped night and day, fasting and praying.” Hers is the picture of a life spent in service to the God who promised to save her.
Maybe she had slowed over the years. But she didn’t quit living her faith; she kept on serving in her old age. Her service was not in an official capacity, for she did not come from Levi, the priestly tribe of Israel. She was from the tribe of Asher, a tiny and little-known tribe to the north. She wasn’t a professional temple worker. Nevertheless, she served in humble, unofficial, unassuming ways. She was “there” – helping others to understand the Word of God, like that spoken by Simeon. Glorifying God with her life, she was an encouragement to all – a life revealing love of the Lord.
There are many modern-day Annas, too, somewhat obscure to us, humble, unassuming. Their attitude towards the Lord and His house reveals hearts filled with love for Him. What a witness they are! While others are concerned for their time or wonder if people will notice what they do, such Annas are just there, out of love to their Lord, seeking in many ways to serve Him.
And God blesses them in the greatest ways possible – they get to “see” the Savior. Anna saw Him with the eyes of her heart, and when she did, she could not be silent, but “gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all.”
The Bible says, “Out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks” (Lk.6:45). When the joy of forgiveness, peace with God, comfort in the present, and hope for the future rests in His hands, the heart is filled to overflowing with actions and words of praise.
God grant that in the year which lies ahead we all will be modern-day Annas and Simeons, always there to serve and worship Him, speaking of the great things He has done for us in every stage of life….for our Lord uses the “unknowns,” the “unassuming” ones for His purposes, and blesses them in their lives of faith, now and in eternity. God grant it to us for Jesus’ sake. Amen.
The Sunday after Christmas – New Year’s Eve December 31, 2023
Welcome in the newborn King. For many people Christmas is past. But its glow has only begun to shine with splendor in the hearts of God’s people. It shines with the blessings of salvation won for us by the Christ-child. The Son of God did not come to earth just to begin a happy festival; He came to save us for His heavenly kingdom. A new day had dawned. For the kingdom to be ours, there was work to be done.
This work of salvation began soon after His birth. The baby Jesus was taken to the temple for circumcision and forty days later for His presentation. There Simeon recognized the child and prophesied what He would do as the Savior. In faith he held the Christ in his arms and took Him into his heart with joy. So may we also receive Him that we may enjoy His eternal blessings.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Let Earth Receive Her King
(The service this morning follows the liturgical outline of the Common Service
with appropriate hymns of the season substituted for different parts of the liturgy.)
The Preparation
The Invocation (Pastor – spoken) Psalm 72
The Entrance Hymn: “Across the Sky the Shades of Night” 367
The Confession of Sins: “Come, Your Hearts and Voices Raising” 362
Pastor: Come your hearts and voices raising, Christ the Lord with gladness praising;
Loudly sing His love amazing, Worthy folk of Christendom.
Congr: Christ, from heav’n to us descending And in love our race befriending,
In our need Your help extending, Save us from the wily foe.
Pastor: From the bondage that oppressed us, From sin’s fetters that possess us,
From the griefs that sore distress us, Now in Christ we are set free.
Cong: Oh, the joy beyond expressing When by faith we grasp this blessing,
When, O Christ , we come addressing Thanks to You and highest praise!
All: Gracious Child, in mercy hear us, From Your lowly manger cheer us,
Gently lead us and be near us Till we join th’ angelic choir.
The Prayer of the Day
The Ministry of the Word
The Old Testament Lesson: Isaiah 63:7-9,16 The prophet praises God for kindnesses and great deeds He showed to His people. He had done many good things for them in the past. When they were in distress, He carried them and so became their Savior.
The Hymn (Psalm 90): “O God, Our Help in Ages Past” 820
The Epistle Lesson: Galatians 4:3-7 God’s grace is not carried out randomly or by chance. It comes according to His plan. So it was that Christ came at precisely the right time, deliberately, with a purpose – to extend the grace of God over Jew and Gentile alike. All who believe are adopted into His family.
The Hymn: “Of the Father’s Love Begotten” 358
The Gospel Lesson: Luke 2:25-38 Simeon and Anna rejoice in seeing the Christ-Child.
Thoughts of Faith in the Days After Christmas – Three Meditations:
Part I: Unknowns, Unassuming People, Yet Blessed in Faith
The Hymn: “Now Sing We, Now Rejoice! 363
Part II: Blessed with Eyes that See Him.
The Hymn: “Once in Royal David’s City” 343
Part III: Blessed with Lives that Reveal Him.
The Hymn: “What Child Is This” 344
Our Response to the Word
The Offering
Responsive Prayer:
M: I will exalt You, my God the King; I will praise Your name forever and ever.
C: Every day I will praise You and extol Your name.
M: It is fitting, O Lord, as the hours of the old year pass, that we express our gratitude for the countless gifts of grace we have received from Your hand.
C: You have been faithful to Your promises and loving toward all You have made.
M: You clothe Your creation with beauty; You feed even the birds and tell us that we are much more valuable than they.
C: You know what we need, and You give us all good things.
M: Clothing and food, safety and health, possessions, and money, even life itself—all these come to us from Your generous hand.
C: We thank You for these blessings, and we ask that You continue to grant them to us in the year that lies ahead.
M: We thank You especially for our Savior at His birth, His Words of life, and the Holy Supper which strengthens our faith, shields us from temptation, and equips us for a life of service to you.
C: Increase our commitments to these precious gifts, so that we may continue to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
M: Hear us, Lord, as we bring you our private petitions.
(Silent Prayer)
M: Almighty and eternal God, you have been gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, and rich in love. As you led Your people Israel with a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night, so lead us by the light of Your Word in the days ahead that we may live our lives to Your glory and be prepared to die in Your peace.
C: We ask these things in the name of Jesus. In His name we close out this year, and in His name we begin a new one. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer (pg.168)
The Lord Blesses Us
The Institution and Distribution of Holy Communion
(We invite our communicant members to the Lord’s Table, believing that in the bread and wine, they receive the Savior’s true body and blood for forgiveness. Since Holy Communion requires a oneness of faith, our practice is that of close communion. Because of that we ask you to speak with the pastor before communing. Thank you.)
Distribution Hymns: “To Shepherds As They Watched by Night” 335
“Lord, Bid Your Servant Go in Peace” 950
The Benediction and Closing Hymn: “Let Us All with Gladsome Voice” 332
Silent Prayer
Today’s Organist: Jane Rips
Today’s Preacher: Pastor Edwin Lehmann
Calendar & Announcements for Zion Lutheran Church
| Sunday | Monday | Wednesday | Thursday | Sunday |
| 9:00 am
Divine Worship Service with Holy Communion 10:15 am Bible Study for all ages
Sunday after Christmas |
The Lehmanns will be on a trip this week. | No Midweek Bible Class this week; we will begin class again on the 11th
|
9:00 am
Divine Worship Service (No Communion) 10:15 am Bible Study for all ages
Sunday after Epiphany |
Those We Remember In Our Prayers: Greg Miller; William & Laurie Moon; Pauline Jaeger; Kirsten Jaster (Laurie Moon’s sister); Greg Pierson (Long’s son-in-law); Libya, (Jodi Milam’s granddaughter); Barbara Long; Kathy Workentine; Robbie Woessner, undergoing radiation; Liz & Roger Lisenby; Lois Wiese.
Offering Envelopes for the upcoming year have already been distributed in your mail boxes. If for some reason you did not receive a set, please see Jim Wiese or pastor.
Thank You very much for your kind holiday greetings and gifts by which you have remembered our family again this Christmas. Your words of Christmas greetings and expressions of thoughtfulness and care throughout the year are greatly appreciated. May the Lord bless you and your families with a rich measure of His grace in the days that lie ahead. A blessed New Year to you in Christ! Pastor, Elizabeth and family.
Looking Ahead:
– Sunday, January 7 – Pastor Witt will be our Guest Preacher
– Thursday, January 11, 6 pm – Call Meeting at Peace
– Sunday, January 21 – Annual Voters and Women Working for Christ Meetings
Next Sunday’s Lessons:
Sunday after Epiphany: Isaiah 49:1-6; Romans 6:1-11; Mark 1:4-11 3-Year Series – B
Point to Ponder: “This evening closes one chapter of Christians’ lives and places them before the opening of another. It reminds them of the rapid flight of time, of the end of their earthly pilgrimage, and of eternity. The solemn reflections thus awakened in them they do not brush aside with a few superficial New Year’s resolutions. Still less do they try to drown them in rounds of pleasure. They face them in sober mood; and their thoughts soon find expression in prayer which comforts and strengthens, which brings hope and joy. Thus a solemn occasion is transformed into a season of grace.”
Rev. Wm C. Burhop – A Perfect Prayer for New Year’s Eve from Concordia Pulpit, 1954
(Rev. Burhop was Pastor Lehmann’s grandfather)
The Sunday after Christmas – Historic Series
Old Testament Lesson: Isaiah 63:7-9,16 You, Lord, Are Our Father.
7 I will tell about the Lord’s mercies, about the praises of the Lord, about all that the Lord has done for us, about his great goodness to the house of Israel, which he performed for them according to his abundant compassion, and according to his great mercy.
8 He said, “Surely they are my people, children who will not deal falsely,” so he became their Savior.
9 In all their anguish he felt anguish, and the Angel of his Presence saved them. In his love and in his pity he himself redeemed them, and he took them up and carried them all the days of old.
16 But you are our Father, though Abraham does not know us, though Israel does not acknowledge us. You, the Lord, are our Father.
Epistle Lesson: Galatians 4:3-7 At the Right Time, God Sent His Son.
3 When we were younger children, we were enslaved under the basic principles of the world. 4 But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son to be born of a woman, so that he would be born under the law, 5 in order to redeem those under the law, so that we would be adopted as sons. 6 And because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts to shout, “Abba, Father!” 7 So you are no longer a slave, but a son. And if you are a son, then you are also an heir of God through Christ.
Gospel Lesson: Luke 2:25-38 Simeon and Anna Rejoice in the Savior.
25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, waiting for the comfort of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was 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 Christ. 27 Moved by the Spirit he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what was customary according to the law, 28 Simeon took him into his arms and praised God. He said:
29 Lord, you now dismiss your servant in peace, according to your word, 30 because my eyes have seen your salvation, 31 which you have prepared before the face of all people, 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.
33 Joseph and the child’s mother were amazed at the things that were spoken about him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Listen carefully, this child is appointed for the falling and rising of many in Israel and for a sign that is spoken against, 35 so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”
36 Anna, a prophetess, was there. She was a daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old. She had lived with her husband for seven years after her marriage, 37 and then she was a widow of eighty-four years. She did not leave the temple complex, since she was worshipping with fasting and prayers night and day. 38 Standing nearby at that very hour, she gave thanks to the Lord. She kept speaking about the child to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.
The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version® (EHV®) © 2019
