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Across the Pastor’s Desk by Don Rose

On Sunday, many of the Christian faithful celebrated the Festival of the Presentation of Our Lord, which marks the end of the Christmas festival.

With the scriptural reference of the sword that will pierce Mary’s heart, there is a foreshadowing of the Passion as well.

The gospel writer Luke combines the presentation of a first born son with the purification of a new mother into one action. Joseph and Mary bring Jesus to the temple and there they encounter Simeon and Anna. Simeon has been long awaiting the fulfillment of God’s promise and the Spirit has moved him to be present in the temple as Jesus is brought. Simeon takes the child into his arms and sings what is known as the Nunc Dimittas, from the first Latin words.

In this child, Simeon sees the fulfillment of God’s promises, not only for Israel but for all of the nations. In the Eastern Church, this day was called “the Meeting”, as Simeon meets Jesus, the Christ meets the people of Israel and God meets his people throughout time and space.

Simeon’s announcement makes it clear that the victory of God’s love and grace through Jesus will not be an easy path. In Jesus will be the fall and rising of many nations and peoples. As noted, Mary herself will be touched by the sorrow of her son’s sacrifice, as a demonstration of the depths of God’s love for the world. Jesus will be a light to the nations and for the people of Israel.

This theme of light is often lived out by many with processions of candles as a part of the festival worship. For some traditions, this Sunday was the Sunday in which all of the candles to be used for the coming year would be blessed, representing the light of Christ for the sake of the world.

Aged Anna, the prophet, also joins in the witness of who this Jesus is and what he will mean for the world, echoing the song that Simeon sang.

Anna witnesses to all who have sought the redemption of Israel and points to the infant Jesus as the source of that redemption.

The gospel writer ends the episode by writing that when all had been accomplished according to the law and customs, the family returned home to Nazareth where Jesus grew strong and in the wisdom of the Lord, and God’s favor was upon him.

This is a faithful Jewish family in which Jesus is raised, rooted in the grace and deliverance that God had affected for the people throughout the ages.

This festival gives opportunity once again to share the story of God’s love poured out, not just for a few but for all of humanity and creation.

Jesus is the light come into the world as a sign of God’s long-awaited salvation.

Don Rose is pastor of the Mansfield and United Lutheran churches.