St. John’s United Church

Child of Hope
The Story of Simeon

Hello. My name is Simeon and I saw the Messiah. I was named after my grandfather. My name, Simeon, means, “God has heard.” It is a most appropriate name for me, though I did not always think so. You see, all my life I have wanted only one thing - to see the Messiah. I know that’s a lot to ask, isn’t it? But it’s what I wanted with all my heart. And every day I would begin with a pray that God would grant me that desire before I died - to see the Messiah.
“What’s a messiah?” you ask. Well…, the Messiah is the Anointed One of God, the one God would raise up in the lineage of David to set our people free. Every generation has looked for and longed for the Messiah. It’s what we wish for more than anything. The Messiah is God’s greatest blessing to us.
You know, it always seems that when God wanted to truly bless us, God did not give us mere material things. No, God gave us persons, special persons. The history of my people is really just a record of the special persons God has given us, who have made us who and what we are today - Abraham, Sarah, Moses, Deborah, the Prophets… And best of all, God will give us the Messiah. He will be God’s greatest blessing. He will change everything.
I will never forget that day when my prayer was finally answered. I went to the Temple, to the Court of the Women, to where the priests circumcised male children on the 8th day after their birth, giving them their name then. I saw a poor couple, a man and woman, waiting their turn. I knew they were poor for they had only the offering of two birds to make, some offering or sacrifice is required by the teachings of Moses on such a wondrous occasion. As I walked closer to them, I beheld the face of the child the woman was carrying, and in that instant I heard once again the voice of God speak to me, “He is the one. He is the Messiah.”
With trembling voice and hands I asked if I might hold and bless the child. The parents looked at me uncertainly for a moment but then smiled. The woman held out the child to me. I took him in my arms and felt such love and warmth and peace flow through me like I have never known before, which still flows through me to this very day. And without even thinking I felt my arms lift the child toward heaven, and found myself singing as tears ran down my face… “Lord, my God and Master, now you can dismiss your servant in peace, according to you word; for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.”
I then looked at his parents and they looked surprised, amazed really at what I had said. I felt amazed myself. I did not know I could sing. And, as I reluctantly handed the blessed child back to his mother, I saw the shadow of my own body with out stretched arms on the Temple wall, a shadow that fell also upon the child now in his mother’s…(hold out arms to your side as if to make a cross) and more words came to my lips… “This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed - and a sword will pierce your own soul too,” I said to the woman.
She looked at me in confusion and fear. I did not wish to make her sad or afraid. But it was as if, when I touched the child, I saw scenes of the future, the faces of the many who would be lifted up by the wondrous gift of this child through their faith in him. And I saw the faces of those who would fall for he would reveal their true selves, and, in their hatred and cold hearts, they would do all they could to oppose him. I saw in this little child the great suffering servant of God - the One who would give his life to bring us life - abundantly and eternally. And, as I spoke the last words to her, the shadow of the cross faded as the sun streamed into the room, coming to rest on the child who was even more radiant than that magnificent light.

The Story of Anna

Hello. My name is Anna and I, too, saw the Messiah. My name means “grace” or “graceful.” It is the Greek form of the Hebrew name “Hannah.” It is a good name for me, I think, for “grace” is what I felt most when I first beheld this wondrous child. It was only by the grace of God that I was given this gift of seeing the Christ. God has been gracious to me all my long life…
I know there is not much said about me in the Gospel Luke wrote. He says that I was really old, eighty-four, and he is correct, though I would like to know why he had to put my age in the record? Luke just likes little details like that I suppose. But, I don’t really mind. Being eighty-four is quite a blessing, really, for I have lived longer than most anyone I know. And we believe that a long and healthy life is one of God’s greatest blessings. Surely God has blessed me. God has been gracious.
I was a prophetess, one called to proclaim God’s word and will. Yes, women are called by God you know, even in my time. Where would our people have been without the great women God called and used - women like Sarah, Miriam, Deborah?
Yes, I was a widow also. An elderly widow. And I don’t know about your time but in mine sometimes widows were very poor, neglected, and not thought to be of much value to anyone, especially an old one like me - but not so. God had called me - an elderly widow, of no earthly value in the sight of some. But God called me. God blessed me. And God used me to help proclaim the Messiah. You see, it doesn’t matter who you are, what you are, how old or young. God loves you. You matter to God and God has work for you to do too. God wants you to see the Messiah too and to help make him known.
The Temple was my life, really. I would go there each day, to the Court of the Women, where I would pray for there was no place I would rather be than in the house of the Lord. Like David sang my prayer was to “dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”
I will never forget how I felt that day when I first saw the child. I saw Simeon take the child and bless him, and there was such a look of peace and joy on Simeon’s face. I knew why - he saw the Messiah too in that little bundle. I came over and, with a shaking hand, just pulled back the cloth so I could see the face of the child… (pause, looking down as if remembering)
How can I describe to you what I saw, what I felt? I cannot. Even then I was speechless for nothing is noted about what I said. For, I said nothing. Such love and joy and peace filled my whole being that my words were choked off… me, a prophetess, at a loss for words… When I finally was able to speak, all I could say was, “What is his name?” And the woman, looking at me strangely, replied, “His name is ‘Jesus.’” “Jesus,” I whispered. “Jesus. No more fitting name could have been given. Jesus - ‘God saves.’” Here before me was the very grace, the very salvation, the promised hope of God. And from that moment on, I found my voice again. That very day, and every day afterward, I praised God with new joy and zeal, and spoke to everyone who would listen about the blessed child I saw that day and whose image still burns in my heart.

***
Just as surely as the Messiah was there in the Temple for Simeon and Anna that day, he is also here in this place for us. That is what Christmas means. To young and old, to all people everywhere, the Child of Hope has come! The Messiah is here! You can see him, too! Just look through the eyes of faith. And when you see him for the first time, you will never be the same. You will want others to see him, too. And for that we say, “Thanks be to God!” Amen and Amen.

Hymn: “What Child is This? #74 Voices United

Acknowledgements: Bass Mitchell

A meditation preached by the Rev. Myra Garvin at St. John’s United Church, Brockville
Sunday January 1, 2006 – New Year’s Day / Christmas 1B