God's Word for Me Today
Sunday, December 30, 2001
Unwrapping a Christ-Centered Christmas!
A note about online study
Introduction to God's Word for Me Today
My Prayer Today
Gracious God, Our Heavenly Father, thank You for this final Sunday of worship in 2001. As we come to the close of another year of life, I pray that You will use this day to help me reflect on what I have been and what I have not been in the past year. I thank You for all the ways Your Holy Spirit has been at work in me, renewing me, strengthening me, guiding me, and empowering me to live for You. May You work in me even more fully and deeply as we move to 2002. These things I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
God's Word for Me Today: Luke 2:21-35
21 Eight days later, when the baby was circumcised, he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel even before he was conceived. 22 Then it was time for the purification offering, as required by the law of Moses after the birth of a child; so his parents took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord. 23 The law of the Lord says, "If a woman's first child is a boy, he must be dedicated to the Lord." 24 So they offered a sacrifice according to what was required in the law of the Lord – "either a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons." 25 Now there was a man named Simeon who lived in Jerusalem. He was a righteous man and very devout. He was filled with the Holy Spirit, and he eagerly expected the Messiah to come and rescue Israel. 26 The Holy Spirit had revealed to him that he would not die until he had seen the Lord's Messiah. 27 That day the Spirit led him to the Temple. So when Mary and Joseph came to present the baby Jesus to the Lord as the law required, 28 Simeon was there. He took the child in his arms and praised God, saying, 29 "Lord, now I can die in peace! As you promised me, 30 I have seen the Savior 31 you have given to all people. 32 He is a light to reveal God to the nations, and he is the glory of your people Israel!" 33 Joseph and Mary were amazed at what was being said about Jesus. 34 Then Simeon blessed them, and he said to Mary, "This child will be rejected by many in Israel, and it will be their undoing. But he will be the greatest joy to many others. 35 Thus, the deepest thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your very soul."
Questions for Reflection
Did your parents ever tell you about their response to your coming into the world? Did it involve dedicating you to God in some way?
What are the parallels between today’s passage and the practice of dedicating our babies and children to the Lord as part of our life together at New Life Christian Ministries?
Questions for Exploration
Why did Mary and Joseph take Jesus to the temple? (2:21-24)
What is the significance of Simeon according to this passage? (2:24-35)
What were the implications of Simeon’s message for Mary? (2:34-35)
Questions for Understanding
Why did God allow Simeon to live long enough to see the Messiah (Jesus)?
What are the implications in this text for your relationship with God, and for Jesus’ role in that relationship?
Questions for Application
What aspects(s) of your life do you need to dedicate or re-dedicate to the Lord right now? Take a moment to reflect on this matter, and to rededicate yourself to the Lord in these areas.
Take five minutes and pray for God’s blessings on Mark and Ellie Geppert as they prepare to move to Singapore.
After the Wrapping...
Mary and Joseph had lived through a week as parents. According to Mosaic law they took Jesus to the temple to dedicate Him to the Lord. After a week, they had probably started to establish a routine. They knew when Jesus would wake up at night, needing to be changed or fed. Mary was starting to know His cries and what they meant. The amazement of the birth, accompanied by shepherds who came with angels’ greetings was fading. Now the task of raising a son—God’s son—was before them.
Isn’t that the way of life? We have a big moment, or a big day, such as Christmas, and then it’s over. We may have taken time to reflect and consider and pray about its significance, but then the tasks of life start to intrude again. They call us out of a necessity to pay the bills, or to attend to the needs of children, parents or others. Sometimes “after the wrapping” we just move on to the next event. But for Mary and Joseph eight days after the “big event” came a reminder of that event, and a prophecy of what would come in the future. Simeon reminded Mary and Joseph that their son was no ordinary child, that he would change everything forever. It’s important for us to remember that as well! Christmas may be an occasion—but the occasion, the birth of Jesus, is something which impacts us long after the wrappings have been tossed in the trash. As we move to a New Year, let’s remember: Jesus is not an event. He’s our life! After the wrapping’s gone, his love endures in our lives forever!
To view the studies for other days, visit the God's Word for Me Today calendar.