Sermon February 2, 2025

The Gospel: Luke 2:22-40

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 firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord’), and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, ‘a pair of turtle-doves or two young pigeons.’
Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying,
‘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.’
And the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, ‘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.’
There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband for seven years after her marriage, then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshipped there with fasting and prayer night and day. At that moment she came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.
When they had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.

The Sermon

Whenever we celebrate a baptism, we welcome the child’s parents, extended family, the godparents, and friends to the service. The baptized child becomes part of God’s family, the whole Christian community. Every baptism follows a certain order in which parents, god-parents and the congregation confess their faith and promise to teach it to the child. While the child grows up everyone helps to nurture this faith. In other words, what follows a baptism in the life of a child is very much a community effort.

When Jesus was a baby, he also went through several rites just as any other Jewish child. Eight days after his birth, he was circumcised, and it was at that moment that he was officially given the name Jesus. By the act of circumcision and the naming, Jesus was received and welcomed into the community of Israel.
Forty days after his birth, Mary and Joseph went to the Temple in Jerusalem for Mary’s purification and for the presentation of Jesus in the Temple. They offered a sacrifice and dedicated Jesus, their firstborn, to God. These were all standard steps following the birth of a male child.

What made Jesus’ presentation unique were the words and actions of two elderly people, Simeon and Anna. No one saw that coming. Imagine if, while we celebrated a baptism, two people got up, took the baby, and began proclaiming what this child’s life would mean for all humanity—what wonderful but also unsettling things its future holds. It would certainly catch us off guard.

For Mary and Joseph, Simeon and Anna’s proclamation may have been yet another extraordinary event associated with their son. Before this happened, there were centuries-old prophecies; Mary and Joseph encountered angels; shepherds arrived unexpectedly after Jesus’ birth; wise men journeyed from afar; and angels and dreams continued to direct their path. And now, Simeon and Anna entered the scene with their inspired words.

There had always been a lot going on around Jesus. He and his parents were never an isolated family of three. And when we think about it, no child grows up in isolation. Every child is nurtured within a broader community—extended family, teachers, neighbors, friends, the parents of friends. They all contribute to the child’s growth and well-being in various ways.

This interconnected life continues into adulthood. Most people are not an island. Jesus, the Son of God, who was God himself, did not live in solitude either. As soon as he entered his public ministry, he called disciples to be with him. One might assume that as the Son of God, he could have accomplished his mission alone. He could have healed the sick, fed the hungry, and preached the good news without assistance. Yet, he did not. He chose to be surrounded by a community, working together to bring God’s kingdom into the world.

This speaks volumes about faith—how it is lived out in community and carried into the world, together. Faith is not a solitary journey; it is always a shared experience, strengthened in fellowship, a group effort rather than a task for lone individuals.

I think this is very much a no-brainer and at the same time we live in a world where a sense of community gets more and more lost. For decades now there has been a decrease in volunteering, church and community involvement. Whoever has been a member of the church for a long time remembers how different things were “back then”, when most of one’s social life took place in the church. The reasons for that decline are certainly complex. There are long working hours, tighter schedules with the kids, people are stressed out and pulled in all different directions.
Political divisions are another thing that drive people apart and make the social circles smaller. And then there is a trend to turn inward, focusing on one’s own needs first. More people choose to stay within a limited circle of friends and family.
At the same time, not surprisingly, a sense of loneliness is growing. It is a silent thing especially among younger people.

Today’s gospel offers a counter-narrative. It calls us, the church, to be an outreaching community, a body of believers that worships together, celebrates together, and works together. Jesus’ life and mission were deeply communal, always drawing people together. He fostered a sense of belonging but also participating.

When we celebrate a baptism, we mark a private milestone for the child and its family but also a public one, for all of us—it is an entry into a life of faith that is lived out in community. Just as Jesus did not walk alone, neither do we. We are called to be people who support, encourage, and uplift one another, who are committed to living as a community of faith.

Let us reflect on the power of community in our faith. Let us remember that God calls us not to isolation but to fellowship, not to self-preservation but to outreach. And let us renew our commitment to being a people who embody God’s love, extending it to all those around us.

And the peace of God which surpasses all understanding will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.