A New Year's Reflection on Luke 2:22-40

Happy New Year!  

I think it’s rather appropriate that we ring in 2012 with the words of Simeon.  Simeon had waited and waited for the Messiah, and now, in the temple on that day, there he was in front of him, a tiny baby in his mother’s arms.  Not the great and mighty warrior, but the helpless child.  And yet, Simeon recognizes the baby Jesus as the one for whom he had been waiting.

Imagine what it must have been like for Simeon to take that little baby, the one he had waited and waited for, into his arms.  It is no surprise that he praises God with the words, “Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your 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.”  It is a beautiful “song”--often translated as “Now, Lord, let your servant go in peace.”

As we begin a new year, surely there are some among us with New Year’s resolutions.  Surely there are some among us who have long ago realized that their resolutions won’t be kept so don’t make them at all.  Regardless of where you stand, this much is true: in this new year, as in every year of our lives, we are people sent out into the world to be voices proclaiming God’s presence in our lives and in the lives of those around us.

We know Christ.  We have experienced the Holy Spirit’s movement, in some way, shape, or form.  We know that God is good.  And, deep down inside, we know that this message of love and grace is the one the world needs to hear.  So we go in peace, God’s servants who have seen God’s saving action over and over again, in big and small ways, in our lives and in the lives around us.

Where ever you are today, know this: you are loved.  No matter where this new year takes you, you are loved by the God who is Love.  May you experience the saving grace of God many times over in this new year.

I am including a YouTube video from the Taize community in France today.  Let yourself fall into the receptive rhythm of the words “Let your servant now go in peace.”  And may you go in peace to love and serve the Lord, today and everyday.  Amen.