The same face
Today, the church celebrates The Purification of Mary and the Presentation of our Lord. And what a glorious text we have today, familiar and loved.
And 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 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”) and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.” Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the Law, he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said,
“Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace,
according to your word;
for my eyes have seen your salvation
that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and for glory to your people Israel.”And His father and His mother marveled at what was said about Him. And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”
And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of Him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.
And when they had performed everything according to the Law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him.
Luke 2:22–40 ESV
Coming back to familiar texts time and time again gives way to more ponderings, more wonder, more awe. In reading a little bit deeper for today, I stumbled across this quote from Weedon1:
But then they [Mary and Joseph] see him [Simeon]—according to tradition, an old man. He is not looking at them. He is looking at the babe in Mary’s arms. And he is coming across the courtyard with the familiar look on his face. Mary had seen it before. It was on the face of Elizabeth when she had looked in awe at Mary’s swelling womb. It was on the face of the shepherds when they knelt beside the manger. Now it is on the face of this old man as he hurries toward them, aged arms outstretched, reaching for the child.
I had never considered the look on Simeon’s face. Sure, time and time again, I think of the Nunc Dimittis, the realization that all has been fulfilled for me, and I can now go and die in the Lord. But the look of Simeon, same as that of Elizabeth and the shepherds, must have been the look of one touched by the Light of the world. It must be the same look that you and I share when God’s Word touches our ears, our lips, and our hearts. It is the look that only Jesus brings, true hope, true peace, and true salvation. The look of Love incarnate, for you and for me.
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Jesus tells us in Matthew 5:16, “…let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”
The LCMS Northern Illinois District is shining a spotlight on service from April 12-21, 2024. Throughout the district, groups of 2 or more people are asked to give witness to the love of Jesus through acts of service to their neighbors and communities. Simply join with some people from your church, school, small group, ministry group, family, etc., and serve together in a project of your own choosing.
And, imagine seeing our our people in specially designed t-shirts all throughout the District during the SHINE! event serving and SHINING His light!
How is God calling you to serve your neighbors and SHINE His light?
SHINE! Tool Kit – Download these resources for SHINE!
40 Ways to SHINE! (Ideas for acts of service.)
SHINE! slide for churches and schools
Download SHINE! logo no dates (PNG format)
SHINE! Bible Study
As we make ready our NID SHINE! Servant Event, April 12 – 21, 2024, we turn to our Lord’s Word for guidance, equipping, and blessing. The SHINE! Bible study is commended for your use as an individual, small group, or congregational study for the weeks surrounding the SHINE! event. Visit the Bible study webpage at nidlcms.org/shine-bible-study.
Share your photos!
Upload your SHINE! photos at this secure link: CLICK HERE FOR LINK. Make certain you have the appropriate permissions so that we may share them on social media and in publications
Frequently Asked Questions
When is SHINE! taking place?
SHINE! takes place April 12-21, 2024. Decide how much time your project will take and pick a day to serve.
Who can participate in SHINE!?
There is no age requirement. Everyone from toddlers to seniors is welcome to participate.
How many people need to be in a group to participate?
A group can be as small as two people and as large as the group wants to be.
What kinds of servant projects are allowed?
There are so many ways that your group can serve right in your own community! Possible projects include: cleaning, carpentry, quilting, cooking, packing, weeding, collecting donations, yardwork, writing cards. Think of unique opportunities to serve in a way that’s tailored to your gifts, your community, and your congregational needs.
Weedon, William C. Celebrating The Saints: The Feasts, Festivals, and Commemorations of Lutheran Service Book, Concordia Publishing House, Copyright © 2016 William C. Weedon
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