Worship Sundays at 9 am
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It continues to amaze me how there are many small vignettes in the scriptures which have great potential to open us to what it means to be in relationship with God’s coming. Re-reading the Christmas story from Luke recently reminded me of Simeon’s story (Luke 2:25-35). Here is an old man whose life revolves around the Temple of God and the irony of Israel’s oppression by the Romans. He earnestly yearns for the day when God’s people will be free of this oppression. Here is a man who knows his earthly days are dwindling. Here is a man who clings to faith and a word from God. In his heart God has promised that Simeon will see the Lord’s Anointed One before he dies. This means that Simeon will be able to see and greet the one who will bring the liberation of Israel. Upon seeing the child Jesus, all the tumblers fall into place, the Spirit leaps within Simeon, and the faithfulness of God is evident and trustworthy right before his eyes.
I think this means that he is now soon to depart this world, but I think it also means that Simeon is also at peace and rests in great confidence that God’s working will not delay long. It is imminent, and for that his heart rejoices without reserve.
It makes me think about the things for which I wait and long and hope. For what do you wait? Where might God be in the things for which you wait? How can we become hungry and passionate about the coming activity of God? This kind of thinking and behaving is very much the work of Advent.
For us these days, we have seen the Messiah’s coming (2000 years ago) and we have learned about the imminent presence of God in Christ, the Emmanuel—God with us. And now too we wait his coming again in power to bring the kingdom of God in its fullness.
Perhaps we too can move to a space of heart and mind where we eagerly await God’s activity as Simeon does. Have you gotten to the place of faith where you anticipate or watch for activity that is like the hand of God touching your life and hope? Come and join us in this space and heart of worship in Advent. And come, Lord Jesus. Come!
—Pastor Mitch