WEBVTT 00:00:00.560 --> 00:00:04.240 At the beginning of the service, we asked ourselves what we were doing here. 00:00:05.200 --> 00:00:08.939 Well, what were Mary and Joseph doing at the temple on that day? 00:00:10.660 --> 00:00:15.339 They'd come to the temple in their obedience to the requirements of the law. 00:00:16.719 --> 00:00:22.019 Their sacrificial offering was the minimum that was required in such circumstances. 00:00:22.019 --> 00:00:32.119 In Leviticus 12, 6 and 8, it actually says, a lamb, but you can get away with a pair of doves or pigeons. 00:00:34.579 --> 00:00:42.120 Surely that expresses their poverty, that they were able only to offer the doves. 00:00:44.820 --> 00:00:50.159 Mary and Joseph had already acted obediently and faithfully to God's call on their lives, 00:00:50.159 --> 00:00:54.539 as we've heard over through Advent and the Christmas services. 00:00:55.739 --> 00:00:59.879 Mary's willing acceptance of Gabriel's message that she would bear God's son. 00:01:01.019 --> 00:01:04.299 Joseph taking Mary as his wife rather than divorcing her. 00:01:05.439 --> 00:01:11.379 Both taking on the responsibility of nurturing and guiding Jesus. 00:01:14.280 --> 00:01:19.539 They came with others on that day to present Jesus their firstborn son. 00:01:20.159 --> 00:01:25.899 What they encountered or encountered them amazed them. 00:01:26.579 --> 00:01:28.920 They marveled at what was said about him. 00:01:30.379 --> 00:01:35.439 They'd already heard and knew the specialness of their son, of God's son. 00:01:36.900 --> 00:01:42.340 As we know, Mary was visited by the angel with the news that she would bear God's son. 00:01:42.519 --> 00:01:44.280 Joseph had been told it would be all right. 00:01:44.879 --> 00:01:48.019 And they'd been visited by the shepherds not long before this event. 00:01:48.019 --> 00:01:56.579 The shepherds visited by the angels and sped down to Bethlehem to worship this baby. 00:01:58.439 --> 00:02:08.060 And now, Simeon and Anna, these elder statesmen of the temple, making their proclamations. 00:02:09.159 --> 00:02:11.259 Word was getting out. 00:02:11.259 --> 00:02:13.319 The angels were busy. 00:02:13.439 --> 00:02:15.139 The Holy Spirit was active. 00:02:16.500 --> 00:02:22.780 Artificial intelligence has nothing whatsoever on God's ability to move. 00:02:24.120 --> 00:02:31.299 Mary and Joseph had accepted God's call on their lives and could but trust in his provision for all they would need. 00:02:31.300 --> 00:02:38.560 They had been through much, including travelling to Bethlehem for Caesar Augustus' census. 00:02:40.140 --> 00:02:42.760 An overcrowded Bethlehem with no room for them. 00:02:43.320 --> 00:02:46.140 Merely animal quarters to act as a maternity ward. 00:02:47.780 --> 00:02:52.700 Where does this challenge our response to God's call on our lives? 00:02:52.699 --> 00:02:57.639 How obedient are we when God asks us to do something? 00:02:59.399 --> 00:03:01.699 A question to ponder. 00:03:03.000 --> 00:03:04.399 But what about Simeon? 00:03:04.879 --> 00:03:08.359 He was a man who lived closely with God and God with him. 00:03:08.879 --> 00:03:12.339 He lived in Jerusalem, which was a deeply religious context, 00:03:12.539 --> 00:03:16.219 where the learned, the positioned, the religious leaders lived. 00:03:16.219 --> 00:03:24.460 And in the midst of lots of religion, void of relationship, Simeon had a true relationship with God. 00:03:26.860 --> 00:03:31.039 And in a sense, we'll come to that, but it's about what we're doing here. 00:03:32.479 --> 00:03:36.219 A friend the other day was cited, we were in conversation the other day, 00:03:36.740 --> 00:03:43.259 and she cited her own childhood experience of being taken to church three times a day 00:03:43.259 --> 00:03:45.379 and finding it just all too much. 00:03:45.379 --> 00:03:48.079 And she's pretty much given up on faith. 00:03:49.199 --> 00:03:53.199 She has another friend who can't understand why she isn't religious. 00:03:54.019 --> 00:03:57.979 Sorry, she is a lady who describes her friend as religious, 00:03:58.400 --> 00:04:02.199 and her friend says, I can't understand why you don't have faith. 00:04:05.400 --> 00:04:08.419 But as we have come to understand, I think, 00:04:11.699 --> 00:04:15.159 religion and a relationship with God are two different things. 00:04:15.379 --> 00:04:21.540 And yet it's through religious activity that we can become to know God better. 00:04:22.899 --> 00:04:23.980 But back to Simeon. 00:04:24.500 --> 00:04:25.959 Simeon had paid attention. 00:04:26.120 --> 00:04:29.680 He had listened to what God said to him through the Holy Spirit. 00:04:30.560 --> 00:04:35.740 He heard the message that he would not die until he had seen the Lord's Messiah. 00:04:35.740 --> 00:04:38.360 And he waited. 00:04:38.360 --> 00:04:40.199 And he waited. 00:04:41.400 --> 00:04:45.340 He had this close relationship with God and the Holy Spirit. 00:04:46.220 --> 00:04:48.699 But how did he wait? 00:04:51.980 --> 00:04:54.480 He waited faithfully. 00:04:55.040 --> 00:04:56.939 He waited obediently. 00:04:56.939 --> 00:05:04.680 He waited patiently. 00:05:04.680 --> 00:05:05.759 He waited patiently. 00:05:05.759 --> 00:05:14.899 So that in that waiting, he was ready on that day when Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to the temple 00:05:14.899 --> 00:05:16.800 to present him to the Lord. 00:05:16.800 --> 00:05:26.439 So that when the Spirit moved in Simeon, he obeyed and recognized the baby Jesus as the one he had been waiting for. 00:05:27.280 --> 00:05:31.939 This baby for Simeon was the completion of his life's waiting. 00:05:31.939 --> 00:05:42.259 He was at peace as he took Jesus in his arms and gave thanks to God for the fulfillment of the promise to him. 00:05:43.480 --> 00:05:46.279 He could now rest in peace. 00:05:47.699 --> 00:05:52.120 Simeon speaks of a life well lived and the ability to let go. 00:05:52.120 --> 00:05:56.720 Those words of the nunc dimittis that he spoke. 00:05:56.860 --> 00:06:02.579 Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. 00:06:03.439 --> 00:06:10.180 For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations, 00:06:10.819 --> 00:06:14.980 a light for revelation to the Gentiles and the glory of your people Israel. 00:06:14.980 --> 00:06:25.200 Anna had had a long time of childless widowhood. 00:06:26.120 --> 00:06:35.780 She spent all her time in the temple, completely focused on worship of God night and day, fasting and praying. 00:06:37.259 --> 00:06:43.040 In her faithful, obedient devotion to God, she waits expectantly. 00:06:43.040 --> 00:06:46.360 She never leaves the temple. 00:06:49.260 --> 00:06:52.260 What is it that sustains her lifestyle? 00:06:53.800 --> 00:06:55.220 Is it not love? 00:06:55.660 --> 00:07:01.600 Love of God and as a consequence, she grows in a closer relationship with him? 00:07:01.600 --> 00:07:15.660 In that obedience, that expectancy, that faith, she's rewarded for those long years in being there that day when Simeon makes his declaration. 00:07:17.140 --> 00:07:19.580 She too gives thanks for Jesus. 00:07:20.520 --> 00:07:23.200 But that was not the culmination of her waiting. 00:07:23.199 --> 00:07:30.519 She went and told others about him and about his mission and purpose for the redemption of Jerusalem. 00:07:31.180 --> 00:07:38.199 Her patient, faithful obedience had called her to speak to those who were waiting for this good news, 00:07:38.839 --> 00:07:44.259 but needed someone to show them it wasn't as they might have expected it to be. 00:07:44.259 --> 00:07:53.019 And interestingly, for this morning, I don't always read the Celtic Dairy Prayer, but I just happen to be at the moment. 00:07:53.899 --> 00:08:00.259 And a few lines from a piece by William Broderick says this, 00:08:01.360 --> 00:08:03.879 and I think it reflects on Anna. 00:08:03.879 --> 00:08:17.079 We have to be candles burning between hope and despair, faith and doubt, life and death, all the opposites. 00:08:18.120 --> 00:08:22.019 That is the disquieting place where people must always find us. 00:08:23.439 --> 00:08:30.480 And if our life means anything, if what we are goes beyond the monastery walls and does some good, 00:08:30.480 --> 00:08:40.740 it is that somehow by being here at peace, we help the world cope with what it cannot understand. 00:08:42.399 --> 00:08:50.980 Anna had spent her time in the temple, not sitting idly, but in deep communion with God, 00:08:51.860 --> 00:08:57.279 so that she was ready to be able to go out and tell others of Jesus. 00:08:57.279 --> 00:09:07.159 Despite her age, but because of her faithful, obedient devotion, her closeness to God, 00:09:07.759 --> 00:09:13.019 and in her closeness to God, she heard his call to act, and she obeyed. 00:09:13.659 --> 00:09:16.799 She started a new adventure focusing on Jesus. 00:09:17.899 --> 00:09:19.959 There was no retiring for Anna. 00:09:21.959 --> 00:09:25.620 Anna speaks of discipleship and mission at any age, 00:09:25.620 --> 00:09:29.879 and of the spontaneous need to share good news. 00:09:31.480 --> 00:09:36.840 These two very elderly people are inspirational examples of lives lived patiently, 00:09:37.379 --> 00:09:39.100 faithfully, obediently, 00:09:40.159 --> 00:09:45.259 led by the Spirit in expectation of what God will do through them. 00:09:46.500 --> 00:09:49.980 They are open to the leading of the Holy Spirit. 00:09:49.980 --> 00:09:53.139 Do we relate to them? 00:09:53.720 --> 00:09:56.600 Do we see such people around us today? 00:09:58.139 --> 00:10:00.940 Is it how we seek to live? 00:10:02.539 --> 00:10:05.080 Expectant in our faith and obedient, 00:10:05.800 --> 00:10:08.779 and with a patient readiness in our relationship with Jesus, 00:10:09.320 --> 00:10:12.360 to be guided into waiting and acting, 00:10:13.240 --> 00:10:14.899 led by the Holy Spirit. 00:10:14.899 --> 00:10:24.019 How we wait shapes our responses when the waiting comes to fruition. 00:10:26.019 --> 00:10:28.860 For Simeon and Anna, their waiting was over, 00:10:29.360 --> 00:10:30.679 and the next chapter beginning. 00:10:30.679 --> 00:10:37.219 Many are struggling in trying to provide for themselves and their families, 00:10:37.599 --> 00:10:41.339 and this time of year places added pressures on finances. 00:10:42.639 --> 00:10:47.099 Many have mental health struggles and are often unable to recognise that 00:10:47.099 --> 00:10:48.539 or be able to talk about it. 00:10:49.339 --> 00:10:52.719 Many live with chronic illness or pain and are often misunderstood. 00:10:52.720 --> 00:10:58.220 You may be one of them or know someone in that position. 00:11:01.060 --> 00:11:05.180 Many places in this world are torn apart by war and oppression. 00:11:05.779 --> 00:11:08.160 Trying to make sense of it seems impossible. 00:11:09.720 --> 00:11:14.820 The numbers of people affected, killed, displaced, injured, are unimaginable. 00:11:14.820 --> 00:11:22.760 Many places are affected by drought, flood, severe and extreme weather, 00:11:23.680 --> 00:11:25.540 even not very far from us. 00:11:27.300 --> 00:11:30.100 And for all of these, the image in C.S. Lewis' 00:11:30.320 --> 00:11:33.379 The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe of always winter, 00:11:33.520 --> 00:11:36.840 but never Christmas, must seem very real. 00:11:38.100 --> 00:11:43.000 The waiting for some change for the better seems unimaginable. 00:11:44.820 --> 00:11:48.180 But we hear in this story of Simeon and Anna, 00:11:48.960 --> 00:11:52.500 and the good news that Jesus' life, death and resurrection brought, 00:11:53.120 --> 00:11:55.420 does give us an imaginable future. 00:11:56.280 --> 00:12:02.920 A future with him if we wait patiently, faithfully, obediently, prayerfully. 00:12:04.000 --> 00:12:06.100 Growing in relationship with him. 00:12:07.240 --> 00:12:09.320 Staying connected to Jesus. 00:12:10.260 --> 00:12:11.220 The true vine. 00:12:11.220 --> 00:12:17.759 What are we doing here, we asked. 00:12:19.279 --> 00:12:24.779 Are we here because of an obedience to the call to join in collective worship regularly? 00:12:26.560 --> 00:12:30.000 In some Christian denominations, being received into membership 00:12:30.000 --> 00:12:33.960 involves, among the other, the declarations of faith, 00:12:34.300 --> 00:12:38.440 the promise to be faithful in public and private worship. 00:12:38.440 --> 00:12:41.900 Why are we here? 00:12:43.040 --> 00:12:44.980 To go through the motions of worship? 00:12:46.020 --> 00:12:47.040 Is that even possible? 00:12:47.480 --> 00:12:49.420 To simply go through the motions of it? 00:12:50.540 --> 00:12:53.820 Or are we here because our lives are focused on Jesus, 00:12:54.380 --> 00:12:55.660 and here, together, 00:12:56.060 --> 00:12:58.580 is one of the ways we express that focus 00:12:58.580 --> 00:13:00.460 by worshipping together? 00:13:00.460 --> 00:13:05.360 We are seeking him in every part of our lives. 00:13:06.500 --> 00:13:08.540 So how do we do that privately? 00:13:10.300 --> 00:13:11.820 If we have busy lives, 00:13:11.920 --> 00:13:14.680 we may think that it's too difficult to fit Jesus in. 00:13:15.560 --> 00:13:16.480 But think again. 00:13:16.800 --> 00:13:19.060 If we don't, we miss out. 00:13:19.940 --> 00:13:23.360 We stunt the growth of our relationship with him. 00:13:23.360 --> 00:13:26.960 If we have plenty of time, 00:13:27.039 --> 00:13:29.639 we can also be distracted into putting it off. 00:13:30.200 --> 00:13:32.940 But if we're not careful the day and the days pass, 00:13:33.019 --> 00:13:34.279 then we can still miss out, 00:13:34.700 --> 00:13:37.500 and again, our relationship doesn't grow. 00:13:39.820 --> 00:13:41.840 Growth can be painful, 00:13:42.519 --> 00:13:45.019 but it is also necessary to flourish 00:13:45.019 --> 00:13:47.379 as Jesus' followers today, 00:13:47.379 --> 00:13:50.200 and to be able to bear the fruit 00:13:50.200 --> 00:13:52.639 that he expects of us. 00:13:56.659 --> 00:13:59.080 One of the great pluses of lockdown for me 00:13:59.080 --> 00:14:00.240 was the time and space 00:14:00.240 --> 00:14:02.159 to grow my relationship with Jesus. 00:14:03.340 --> 00:14:05.939 I determined then not to let things slip, 00:14:06.100 --> 00:14:08.939 but somehow it's never been quite the same 00:14:08.939 --> 00:14:10.480 in ordinary time, as it were, 00:14:11.059 --> 00:14:13.259 as it was in those months of limited movement 00:14:13.259 --> 00:14:14.700 and social interaction. 00:14:14.700 --> 00:14:17.240 And yet, and yet, 00:14:17.379 --> 00:14:20.139 the joy of worshipping together 00:14:20.139 --> 00:14:22.480 took on a new impetus 00:14:22.480 --> 00:14:23.779 when we got back together. 00:14:25.840 --> 00:14:29.019 In all circumstances of our lives, 00:14:29.379 --> 00:14:31.860 we have to seek a pattern of worship, 00:14:32.340 --> 00:14:33.919 praying, maybe fasting, 00:14:34.340 --> 00:14:35.240 and Bible study 00:14:35.240 --> 00:14:36.860 that we can fully engage with 00:14:36.860 --> 00:14:38.860 and sustain with the support 00:14:38.860 --> 00:14:39.980 of brothers and sisters 00:14:39.980 --> 00:14:41.899 seeking to grow in their relationship 00:14:41.899 --> 00:14:43.799 with Jesus as we are. 00:14:44.899 --> 00:14:46.340 That's what I'm doing here. 00:14:46.340 --> 00:14:48.620 That's why I belong to a home group. 00:14:48.899 --> 00:14:49.920 That's how I know 00:14:49.920 --> 00:14:52.820 I am part of the body of Christ. 00:14:55.460 --> 00:14:56.700 I would encourage you, 00:14:56.800 --> 00:14:58.200 if you or someone you know 00:14:58.200 --> 00:15:00.660 are beginning their journey with the Lord, 00:15:01.100 --> 00:15:02.899 perhaps as a result of something 00:15:02.899 --> 00:15:04.600 you or they have seen or heard 00:15:04.600 --> 00:15:06.740 in the various Christmas services, 00:15:06.740 --> 00:15:09.100 I would encourage you, 00:15:09.220 --> 00:15:09.980 encourage them 00:15:09.980 --> 00:15:11.639 to explore more. 00:15:12.419 --> 00:15:13.720 Don't leave it unattended. 00:15:14.060 --> 00:15:14.720 Don't hesitate. 00:15:15.019 --> 00:15:16.759 Don't stop at simply hearing 00:15:16.759 --> 00:15:19.100 and momentarily reacting. 00:15:20.480 --> 00:15:21.899 Speak to someone here. 00:15:22.759 --> 00:15:24.480 Come for prayer after the service. 00:15:25.159 --> 00:15:26.299 Think about signing up 00:15:26.299 --> 00:15:27.639 for the next Alpha course, 00:15:27.759 --> 00:15:29.100 which may not be for a few months, 00:15:29.240 --> 00:15:30.399 but keep that in your mind. 00:15:31.399 --> 00:15:32.379 Taking that step 00:15:32.379 --> 00:15:34.019 will be the best thing you could do 00:15:34.019 --> 00:15:36.319 going into 2024. 00:15:38.799 --> 00:15:41.399 Simeon knew his waiting was over 00:15:41.399 --> 00:15:43.899 in the fulfillment of God's promise 00:15:43.899 --> 00:15:45.759 when he saw the baby Jesus. 00:15:46.480 --> 00:15:47.740 He could let go 00:15:47.740 --> 00:15:49.279 and let God. 00:15:50.579 --> 00:15:52.319 Anna knew her waiting was over 00:15:52.319 --> 00:15:53.899 when she saw the baby Jesus 00:15:53.899 --> 00:15:56.639 and that she now had to speak 00:15:56.639 --> 00:15:57.679 of what she had seen 00:15:57.679 --> 00:15:59.139 to those who were ready to hear. 00:15:59.139 --> 00:16:02.299 Their journeys continued 00:16:02.299 --> 00:16:03.460 in different directions, 00:16:03.620 --> 00:16:04.519 but they continued. 00:16:06.279 --> 00:16:07.600 For Mary and Joseph, 00:16:07.840 --> 00:16:08.720 their life's journey 00:16:08.720 --> 00:16:10.639 was focused on their infant son 00:16:10.639 --> 00:16:12.179 as they nurtured him 00:16:12.179 --> 00:16:13.960 through childhood into manhood, 00:16:14.699 --> 00:16:15.620 having to negotiate 00:16:15.620 --> 00:16:18.179 various challenges along the way. 00:16:19.519 --> 00:16:21.980 For us, living now 00:16:21.980 --> 00:16:23.539 and also in expectation 00:16:23.539 --> 00:16:25.240 of Christ's coming again, 00:16:26.059 --> 00:16:27.480 surely it has to be 00:16:27.480 --> 00:16:29.460 in patient, faithful, 00:16:29.960 --> 00:16:31.360 obedience to his teaching 00:16:31.360 --> 00:16:32.779 by encouraging 00:16:32.779 --> 00:16:34.360 and when necessary, 00:16:34.560 --> 00:16:35.600 challenging one another 00:16:35.600 --> 00:16:37.200 so that we are ready 00:16:37.200 --> 00:16:39.200 to meet him when he comes. 00:16:40.440 --> 00:16:41.180 After all, 00:16:42.200 --> 00:16:44.360 life is all about Jesus. 00:16:44.360 --> 00:16:46.200 Amen.