Do We See What They Saw?

A Sermon by Nada Sellers

December 28, 2008

Luke 2:22-40

Imagine with me, if you will, that we are viewing a series of snapshots, taken by the security cameras on the Temple grounds in Jerusalem.

What do you see?

Here comes yet another young impoverished couple, raising their son as one who is faithful to the teachings of the Jewish law. This Holy Family is devout and poor, bearing the simple offering of birds rather than a lamb.

Together, they are sharing in a ceremony of presentation, for Mary’s purification and Jesus’ dedication as the firstborn male of the family. It brings them face to face with two extraordinary, elderly saints who have been watching and waiting for many years. We, the readers of Luke’s gospel, listen in on these blessed encounters with awe:

What does Simeon see?

“Perhaps Mary's first amazement was that Simeon addressed her at all, since it was unusual for men to talk with women they didn't know, especially in public… Luke tells us that Simeon has been assured by the Holy Spirit that he won't die until he sees the Messiah, so he clearly has some power backing him up. Sure enough, when the big moment arrives, Simeon has the insight, the gift of recognizing what he has been waiting for all along. What he holds may be "just" a baby, but he sees the salvation of God, glory for the people of Israel and light for the gentiles, not just long ago but today, not just for himself and his people, but for all people, all the children of God.” (www.ucc.org/S.A.M.U.E.L. for 12-28-08)

"How lovely, how tender,” writes James Howell, “the way aged Simeon, the frailties of his years draped over him, cradles the infant Jesus in his arms. Imagine holding in your arms this most wanted child, the hope of the ages, the yearning of your entire life." Ironically, God didn't come down as a powerful emperor or a rich man: "God came down, not to thrash evildoers or crush the Romans, but as an infant, to elicit love, to nurture tenderness" (Feasting on the Word, p.164, 166).

What did Anna see?

Anna also has the gift of seeing, of recognizing God's hand at work, keeping an old promise in a new day. We may not get to hear her words directly but we hear that she went around praising God and telling everyone all about the great things God was doing in their midst, in particular, the great thing she had waited for so faithfully for decades (Feasting, p168) Like Simeon, she was a prophet and like Simeon, a person with the wisdom of age, the inspiration of the Spirit, and a lot of time spent in the temple.
Simeon looked beyond the child Jesus as a baby, and saw the Christ, the Promised One. Wouldn't it be lovely if we each of us could see the Christ in one another, and in every single person we meet? Wouldn't it transform our relationships, our churches, our families, our nation, the world if we could see the potential in each person as a gift of God who has a role in the unfolding of God's promises and plan in our midst?

Anna too, looked beyond this little baby child and recognized something no one else had – here is God’s answer – here’s something that everybody else needs to know: Messiah is here, this is the child that will redeem Israel and restore her fortunes; let’s spread the word ...

Do we see what they saw?