Christmas 1
Luke 2:22-40
***Today, we had a baptism at the beginning of the Divine Service***
Have you noticed how everyone rightly focuses on the birth of Jesus at Christmas, but then forgets how the days that follow His birth are also important and continue to tell the story and purpose of the Christ Child’s arrival into the world?
To start with, we hear about Mary and Joseph’s faithfulness to God’s word as they brought the baby Jesus to the temple this morning. The Gospel says they took Jesus to the temple according to the Law of Moses, and it wasn’t until the law was fulfilled that they would depart and return to Galilee.
This image of Mary and Joseph’s faithfulness should motivate all parents to be just as faithful in hearing and listening to God’s Word and bringing their little ones to His temple and sanctuary, just as Gabe and Leah have, bringing Ellowyn to where God is present for her today.
Now, when Mary and Joseph arrived at the temple, they were greeted by Simeon, a devout and righteous man who had been in the temple specifically to wait for and receive the Lord’s consolation, to see the Christ.
But let’s take a moment to consider what it truly means to receive the Lord’s consolation. Yet, it might be helpful to start by thinking about what the opposite of consolation is.
It’s a harsh world of desolation, of indifference, ruthless disdain, and complete mercilessness, a lack of compassion and forgiveness.
Not a world one would typically desire to bring a child into.
But this is the world that Simeon knew and was waiting for consolation from.
As you look around, is the world you live in much different from the world of Simeon that first Christmas?
To ask the question differently, has the devil ceased to attack the faith of God’s children?
The answer is no, of course.
You still live in a world of desolation; indifference has become the Devil’s playground. The talking heads on television and social media often teach you to have ruthless disdain for the neighbor you disagree with, and forgiveness is seen as a weakness.
Maybe this is a world you witnessed this Christmas as you gathered with family? A reminder of how near the wildernesses of this world are.
But Simeon, a member of God’s faithful remnant of Israel, is waiting in the temple for the consolation of Israel to come, and he sees the Christ child as Mary and Joseph enter the temple, takes Him into his arms, and speaks the most comforting words anyone can say.
Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace,
according to your word;
for my eyes have seen your salvation
that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and for glory to your people Israel.
These are the words of Simeon’s consolation, God’s comfort and peace, His forgiveness. These are the words of fulfillment as the prophet Isaiah had written,
It will be said on that day,
“Behold, this is our God; we have waited for him, that he might save us.
This is the LORD; we have waited for him;
let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.” (Isaiah 25:9)
And this confesses why Jesus was born into this world, to save us, to save you.
This is also what Anna the Prophetess confesses in the verses that follow Simeon. You see, just a few days ago, the Shepherds announced the birth of Jesus, but the words that Prophetess Anna now speaks are about His death, as St. Luke records,
And coming up at that very hour [Anna] began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.
This redemption would occur through the means of the cross.
Now, while the Bible doesn’t specify the type of wood used for the cross, there might be a little sermon for young Ellowyn here (and the rest of you).
The name Ellowyn is of English origin. It carries several wonderful meanings, such as purity, joy, or, in some cases, it refers to the Elm Tree. When associated with an Elm Tree, the name symbolizes resilience and beauty. An Elm tree is known for its large canopy, which offers shade to those seeking shelter beneath it. It’s also a hardwood, signifying strength beneath its bark.
Of course, Ellowyn’s last name is Oakes, which is an even sturdier tree and name.
Yet, there is a tree stronger than both, and this is the tree that Leah and Gabe must point their little Ellowyn to every day: the tree of the cross. Because this is what faithful parents do—they humbly bring their children into the courts of the Lord and guide them to look beyond this world, beyond themselves, and to their Savior.
Why does this matter?
Because little Ellowyn has been born into a harsh world of desolation, of ruthless disdain for one another, complete mercilessness – a world lacking compassion and forgiveness.
Merry Christmas, huh?
But look, as she was baptized today, like the rest of you, she became a member of God’s faithful remnant on earth.
A remnant that’s always walking and approaching the tree of Jesus’ cross, because that is how and where He won eternal consolation for Ellowyn and for all of you.
Here’s the thing: just as Jesus’ journey to the cross began at His birth, so the Christians’ journey to eternal life begins at the font, where you are joined to the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.
From this day forward, every journey from the font to this altar follows the way of the cross; it’s a rehearsal for singing with Simeon and praising God with Anna in paradise.
Think about that when you sing Nunc Dimittis in a few minutes…
Having come or been brought into this sanctuary, you approach, take, and receive the flesh and blood of Jesus into your hands and upon your lips, and then you sing again with Simeon,
Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace,
according to your word...
How cool is that?
Here you are given the Lord’s consolation, His peace. And how would a child ever know this if their parents did not faithfully carry out their responsibilities, to walk in the shadows of Mary and Joseph, and to bring their little ones into the presence of God as He has instructed.
Mothers and fathers, fathers and mothers, have an enormous responsibility in raising their child in the faith, and the greatest joy they will receive is by presenting them to the Lord, where He shall place His name, granting them not only consolation now, but eternal peace when they leave this world and enter the heavenly courts.
Remember this, because there’s no greater joy than receiving the peace and forgiveness of Jesus Christ and being made ready by Him to live with Him forever. +INJ+
Rev. Noah J. Rogness
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
Tomah, WI
