Eight days: Jesus was circumcised. Everybody came to his house for this sacred event. Naming Ritual. First the child was given his name and then the foreskin of the male genital was cut off as a sign of covenant between God and person being circumcised. Jesus would’ve howled in pain, everyone present would’ve rejoiced that this new baby had such great lung power!
(Similar to our baptism ritual in the church – where the child’s Christian name is pronounced before water is sprinkled on forehead – with our words of faith, “name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.)

Luke 2:21 After eight days had passed, it was time to circumcise the child; and he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

Thirty days: First born male was always brought to temple in Jerusalem for service of dedication.

Forty days: third ritual involved both the baby and the mother called the rite of purification. Jewish tradition mother after giving birth had to be purified; every first-born male was to be designated as holy to the Lord. According to Jewish law Mary came to synagogue on the fortieth day to sacrifice a lamb, or if she couldn’t afford a lamb two turtle doves or two pigeons.

Luke 2:22-40 When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23(as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord”), 24and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.” 25Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. 26 The Holy Spirit had revealed it to him that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, 28Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying, 29“Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word; 30for my eyes have seen your salvation, 31which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, 32a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.” 33And the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. 34Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, “This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed 35so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your own soul too.” 36There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped there with fasting and prayer night and day. 38At that moment she came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem. 39When they had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. 40The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.

SERMON Rev. Paul Seebeck “Knowing Grace… Peace”
I want to begin this first Sunday after Christmas message by taking us back to our prayer that came after our call to Worship from Galatians 4:6-7. I want us to personalize it, so if you would locate it now in your bulletins. Ready?

And because we are children God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts (repeat that last phrase with me) God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts crying “Abba! Father!” So you are no longer a slave but a child, and if a child also an heir, through God.
I want to use these words “God has sent the Spirit of his son into our hearts,” as a bridge to our gospel story where Simeon and Anna held the baby Jesus (God in Human flesh) 40 days old.
I want to remember these words, “God has sent the Spirit of his son into our hearts… into your heart,” as we journey with Simeon and Anna into “Knowing Grace” – where eventually we discover peace.” Simeon and Anna lived their lives in a period of history when it seemed as if God had been silent. Israel was in exile, and eventually was controlled by the Roman Empire.
Yet near the end of their lives these two devout prophets “see” God’s revealing and redeeming light as they hold and bless this baby Jesus.

We too live in a time where we need to hear God’s revealing and redeeming light. Like those who lived in time of Jesus birth we might be jaded by our uncertain times. We will enter 2009 living in the midst of our greatest economic crisis since the Great Depression, and we are at war in Iraq, and trying to figure out how to move from that country to Afghanistan. Add to that the day after Christmas news that Israel is bombing Gaza – relentlessly for 2 consecutive days. Oh by the way if that isn’t enough peace-less anxiety, India and Pakistan may be on the verge of engaging in a holy war, fueled religious fundamentalists on both sides. And then there are our personal lives where we are trying to find peace with each other.

Two Goats on the Bridge
“Between two mountains lay a narrow bridge.
On each mountain lived a goat.
Some days the goat from the western mountain would cross the bridge to graze on the eastern mountain.
Some days the goat from the eastern mountain would cross the bridge to graze on the western mountain.
But one day, both goats began to cross the bridge at the same time.”

(Goats meet in middle, neither wanting to give way.)
Western Goat: “Move off! I am crossing this bridge!”

Eastern Goat: “Move yourself! I am crossing here!”
As neither would retreat and neither could move forward,
they stood in anger for some time.
At last they locked horns and began to push.

They were so evenly matched in strength that they succeeded
only in pushing each other off the bridge. Wet and furious, they climbed from the river and stomped off to their homes.

Goats mutter: “See what his stubbornness caused!”

Two Goats on the Bridge
“Between two mountains lay a narrow bridge.
On each mountain lived a goat.
Some days the goat from the western mountain would cross the bridge to graze on the eastern mountain.
Some days the goat from the eastern mountain would cross the bridge to graze on the western mountain.
But one day, both goats began to cross the bridge at the same time.
They met in the middle of the bridge.”

Western Goat: “We have a problem here.”
Eastern Goat: “So it seems.”
W. Goat: “I do not want to back up.”
E. Goat: “Neither do I. This bridge is too narrow, but perhaps…”
W. Goat: “Maybe if we are both very careful…..”
E Goat: “We can pass without falling.”
Both goats: “We can try!”
Cautiously they squeezed past, being careful not to overbalance the other. Thus the goats passed peacefully and went on their way, muttering,

Both Goats: “What a cooperative fellow he is!”

That story illustrates how difficult it is for humans to know peace. But what does it mean for us – to whom “God has sent the Spirit of his son into our hearts” as it relates to peace? Is it possible for us to “see” with such clarity, like Simeon and Anna, in such uncertain times?

What I’m really getting at in this question is this –
According to our scripture the Holy Spirit that is present inside the baby Jesus,
Is also present to these two wisdom elders (who are righteous and devout)
And is also present to us according the Christmas story at warped speed in Galatians!
So what does God’s Holy Spirit do for Simeon and Anna who live their lives in ways that keep them open to the wonder of worship, to the movement of praise?
1. The Holy Spirit rests on Simeon; I would argue it is the same for Anna and for us.
2. The Holy Spirit reveals that death will not come until Simeon see the Lord’s Messiah.
3. The Holy Spirit guides Simeon to see big and little picture salvation – prepared in the presence of all peoples, the light of revelation for the Gentiles (the rest of the world) and glory for Israel.
And then these two great lines:

Lord you are dismissing your servant in peace!

The Child Jesus grew. Became strong. Was filled with wisdom. God’s favor was upon him. May all of these things be true for us in 2009.

A little boy wanted to meet God. He knew it was a long trip to where God lived, so he packed his suitcase with Twinkies and a six-pack of Root Beer and he started his journey.

When he had gone about three blocks, he met an elderly man. The man was sitting in the park just feeding some pigeons.

The boy sat down next to him and opened his suitcase. He was about to take a drink from his root beer when he noticed that the man looked hungry, so he offered him a Twinkie.

The man gratefully accepted it and smiled at boy. His smile was so pleasant that the boy wanted to see it again, so he offered him a root beer.

Again, the man smiled at him. The boy was delighted! They sat there all afternoon eating and smiling, but they never said a word.

As it grew dark, the boy realized how tired he was and he got up to leave, but before he had gone more than a few steps, he turned around, ran back to the man, and gave him a hug. The man gave
him his biggest smile ever.

When the boy opened the door to his own house a short time later, his mother was surprised by the look of joy on his face. She asked him, “What did you do today that made you so happy?

“He replied, “I had lunch with God.” But before his mother could respond, he added, “You know what? God’s got the most beautiful smile I’ve ever seen.”

Meanwhile, the elderly man, also radiant with joy, returned to his home. His son was stunned by the look of peace on his face and he asked,” Dad, what did you do today that made you so happy?”

He replied, “I ate Twinkies in the park with God.” However, before his son responded, he added,” You know, he’s much younger than I expected.”

It’s imperfect theologically, I know. But it is our gospel story. An elderly man and woman “see” God in Jesus – a forty-day old baby.

The Spirit of this baby “God’s son” continues to rest on us, revealing to each of us that we are no longer slaves, guiding us into freedom where we integrate our human selves into God’s divine spirit.
Thank God! We no longer have to be like those two stubborn goats on the bridge. God’s great gift of love and life for us in Jesus Christ allows us to know grace and be dismissed in peace.

Please pray with me.