Luke 2:21–40

New Year’s Eve

Theme: A New Tomorrow

²¹And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb. ²²And 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 male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord") ²⁴and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said 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, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. ²⁶And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. ²⁷And 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, ²⁸he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said, ²⁹"Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; ³⁰for my eyes have seen your salvation ³¹that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, ³²a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel." ³³And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. ³⁴And 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 ³⁵(and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed." ³⁶And 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, ³⁷and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. ³⁸And 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. ³⁹And when they had performed everything according to the Law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. ⁴⁰And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him.

Spiritually and liturgically, the season of Christmas is not over. Different from the secular world’s celebration, which so easily and quickly disposes of an event so miraculous and majestic, Christmas is ongoing. Christmas is that celebration of the moment of truth when God became flesh and dwelt among us. The very God of very God actually became a human being, taking on a servant’s role at that. He became one of us. Our God understands the gamut of life’s experiences, able to identify with our sorrows and joys, our fears and foibles, because he became one of us. He came among us to save us from the curse and penalty of our sins. He paid the price for our folly, he walked the way of obedience to the rigors of the law, he suffered for our sins, and he died, leaving those sins hanging on the cross, limp and lifeless.

How appropriate that in the middle of our Christmas celebration we also celebrate the New Year. Although the Church calendar doesn’t pay much attention to New Year’s Eve as the bringing in of a new year, our society surely does. And every New Year we celebrate as if it were a new beginning. And that is exactly what Christmas is all about. Christmas, God becoming one of us, is a new beginning. God became one of us in order to give us a new beginning. We humans have thoroughly corrupted the creation God made; we completely corrupted ourselves; but God came into the world as a man in order to give us a new beginning; a fresh start; to end the old order and create a new one. He came to create us anew in his image. One week to the day after his birth Jesus was given his name. Joseph, following the instructions of the angel, named the baby, “Jesus,” God saves. By the same token, when God became a human and assumed humanity into himself he gives us his name. So as Jesus was given the name “Jesus” one week into his life on earth, in our baptism we are given the name “Jesus” and sealed in him until the last day. By virtue of our baptism we are called “Christians.” His name is written on us and we become one with God.

I suppose on this New Year’s Eve, it might seem like fun to be able to look into the new year—if that were possible—and see what is in store for us and the Church and our world. On the other hand, to do that would only spoil the fun if the surprises should be pleasant ones. And if what is ahead is turbulent, to see it before its time would only bring premature fear and feelings of futility.

In our gospel reading tonight, we hear of the righteous and devout Simeon, located right where he usually was; in the temple praising God. He had been told that there he would stand face-to-face with the long-awaited Messiah. Part of Simeon was looking back to the yesterdays during which he and his people had longed for the day when they would be free of oppression and servitude. It had been a long, painful struggle to remain faithful to the promise of god that they would be delivered from their bondage.

For us tonight, part of us is looking back on the past year. We see our sins and failures. We are confronted with our doubts and unbelief. We are reminded of the sins we have committed; our pride and self-righteousness. We are aware of our sinful, fallen human nature. We have tried to lead God pleasing lives; we have tried to love our neighbor, but all our efforts never work out. We are still sinful and we still do the wrong things. Our guilt clings to us like thick molasses.

But like Simeon, in word and sacrament, we have seen our salvation; the long awaited Savior, who is Christ the Lord. This babe whom we take into our arms tonight and hold, is the one who bore our sin and guilt and died on a cross to pay our debt. Like Simeon, we look back and repent of our sinful lives and receive wonderful, refreshing forgiveness.

Another part of Simeon was looking ahead to his own eternity. This was no morbid death wish for him, no self-pity, he was not saying here, “I have nothing more to live for,” but rather, “All that I’ve lived for and hoped for and waited for has been accomplished.” For he had lived to see Jesus. He had walked his many days in expectation of holding Jesus in his arms. Today! What he had lived for and hoped for and waited for was to hold on to the baby Jesus, Savior of his people, and the world. Having done that, he was able to say, “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace….for my eyes have seen your salvation.”

Like us tonight. A part of us is looking forward to the day we will see Jesus face-to-face and embrace him. Just as New Years is a new beginning on our calendar, so baptism and faith is a new beginning in Christ. A new man is born, holy and righteous, restored to the image of Christ. We look forward to the day that Christ will return for us. On that day he will take us with him to where he is. On that day he will declare to all the world that we are righteous. The books will be opened and all mankind will be judged. On that day our suffering will come to an end; our tears will be wiped away; our sorrow turned to joy; and our hope fulfilled.

Simeon’s peaceful exit from this world and entrance into the holy house of heaven would come when and as God willed. That was not Simeon’s concern—for until that time, he would rejoice in the moment.

Now you let your servant go in peace. Those words speak for themselves. Since we can’t control or manipulate the year that awaits us, why fret about it or even anticipate what may not be? Instead, treasure today. Treasure the gifts with which God has surrounded us, for they are many. Treasure the time that God has entrusted to us, for it is precious. Treasure the people with whom God has placed us, for they are beloved. Treasure life, treasure faith, and treasure hope, all of which are ours this very day. How? By holding the Christ Child close to our breasts; by holding up the Christ Child as our Savior; by holding onto the Christ Child in simple faith and determined faithfulness, for whatever awaits us.

There’s a certain nostalgia related to New Year’s Eve; it is a wonderful time for reflection, for seeing once again how God has taken us by the hand throughout our life time. We think about the ages and stages of life and how quickly the years pass and what the future holds. So, until tomorrow, treasure today.

Amen.