The Journey to Joy

We place a great deal of value on traditions. Most of us likely experienced traditions both silly and serious from our families of origin. Perhaps it was a particular recipe or a special location. Perhaps it was a family joke or an affectionate nickname. In our life of faith, we highly value traditions as well. Sometimes a favorite hymn or ritual brings a spiritual connection for us. These traditions are important because they help to root us in an identity.

The text for Sunday is a journey of traditions. Jesus is taken to be presented at the temple, they offer a sacrifice,  and a priest and a prophet revel at Jesus’ presence. This remarkable series of events must have been both bewildering and wonderful! And in this celebration of tradition, Jesus’ identity is claimed and proclaimed.

Luke 2:22-40 (CEB)
²²When the time came for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord ²³(as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord”), ²⁴and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: “a pair of doves or two young pigeons.”

²⁵Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. ²⁶It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. ²⁷Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, ²⁸Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:

²⁹“Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,
you may now dismiss your servant in peace.
³⁰For my eyes have seen your salvation,
³¹which you have prepared in the sight of all nations:
³²a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and the glory of your people Israel.”

³³The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. ³⁴Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, ³⁵so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”

³⁶There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, ³⁷and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. ³⁸Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.

³⁹When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth. ⁴⁰And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him.

Consider these questions:

1. What is a familiar tradition of your family or community? Is it a tradition that is more serious? Is it funny? What’s the story around this tradition? How have do you honor this tradition now?
2. What is a familiar tradition that you value as a person of faith? What moves you spiritually about this tradition? Is it something we do here at PB UMC?