St. Luke 2:22–40 – Christmas 1 – 2013

St. Luke 2:22–40 – Christmas 1 – 2013
Zion Ev. Lutheran Church, McHenry, IL
December 29, 2013

Merry Christmas! INI. Amen. The world is already done with Christmas. I wished someone a Merry Christmas today and they responded, “Thanks, I did have one and I’ll have a Happy New Year too.”

The world celebrates Christmas from November to Christmas Eve. Then, it’s time to put away the decorations and move on to New Year’s then whatever holiday is next.  Valentine’s Day?

In the Church, Christmas lasts for twelve days. You might know the song about that Christmas is a Season! It begins with Christmas and ends with the appearance of the Wise Men on Epiphany on January 6, 2013. We’re just warming up our celebration!

Today’s Christmas Gospel tells us of pious Simeon, waiting in the Temple for one last Christmas gift.  Simeon was a righteous and devout man. He had received a promise from the Holy Spirit that He would not fall asleep until He had seen the Lord’s Christ.

Then, He finally came! Baby Jesus was brought to the Temple. No fanfare. No angelic announcement. That was, like, a few verses ago. The world had moved on from Christmas night.

Now, an unremarkable Jesus was brought to the Temple just like every good Jewish baby, to be presented before the priest as was required by the Law.

Jesus doesn’t get a pass from the Law just because He’s the Son of God. No, everything required of you goes on in Him. He takes it all on Himself. For in Christ, the Law has it’s fulfillment.

And Simeon is there to get his gift. To scoop Him up, to hold Him, and to lift Him into the air and sing to Him.

You know His song. You do! Open your bulletins (pg. 12). We sing Simeon’s song every Sunday. It’s the Nunc Dimittis!

Nunc Dimittis servum tuum Domine. “Lord, now let Your servant depart in peace.” Lord, I’ve waited to sleep. I’ve waited to die. I’ve waited for you to fulfill your promise.

You’ve kept your word, Lord. You’ve fulfilled your promise. The whole of the Old Testament pointed to this Baby who would save His people from their sins.

“Now, my eyes have seen your salvation which you have prepared in the sight of all people.” He’s here. Salvation is here! In the arms of the Virgin is the comfort and salvation of Israel. The Christ is here!

And He didn’t just come to save His Jewish people. He came to save all people. He’s “a light to lighten the Gentiles.” In my arms, is the Child that lights up the entire world. He lights up all nations.

For the Glory of God is not going to be found in a pillar of cloud or fire anymore. It’s not God’s bright, shining, unapproachable light.

He’s the glory of His people, Israel.  The glory of God and man is in the flesh of this Child because He will fulfill all that is required of you and save you from your sins of failing to do so by His death on the Cross.

You seek glory by what you do and say. I do too. We try to get God’s attention. “Look at me! Look at what I’ve done! I’m not nearly as bad as I was, God! I’m getting better!”

All of that kind of glory fails. It fades. We don’t do what we commit to do. We fail. We sin. We let people down. Then…what?

Well, Jesus. Jesus is the glory of God and the faithfulness of God. He saves those who can’t save themselves.  He keeps the Law. He fulfills it for you, to save you. All the glory you’ll ever need is in the flesh and blood of this Baby, Jesus.

Simeon knew that God had come to Him in that moment. He was ready to go after He held the Lord in His own hands. He was ready to depart in peace. He was ready to fall asleep.

That’s why we sing the Nunc Dimittis every week right after the Lord’s Supper! When Jesus comes to you in His Body to eat and His Blood to drink and all your sins have been forgiven, you’re ready for anything. You can depart in peace with God and in peace with those around you.  Eternal life has been put right in your mouth.

God has comes to you – not in the Temple as Baby. He takes all that He did in His fulfillment of the Law and with His suffering and death and He delivers it to us at the Supper.

For the very same Jesus, that Simeon held in His hands that day, places His Body and Blood in your mouth for the forgiveness of all your sins.

Today, Simeon unwraps for you. Sing his song. Contemplate the Words. Receive the gift. Be forgiven.  Let the gift of Christmas last for twelve whole days. Now, if you’ve put your decorations away, you can’t do anything about it now. Keep them out a little longer next year and celebrate for a few more days.

But, today, you can wish people a Merry Christmas all the way into the first week of the New Year.  For Christ has come. He has saved you on the Cross. He has delivered it to you in His Supper. That makes for Merry Christmas – even on Sunday after Christmas! Merry Christmas! INI. Amen.