Sermon Notes — December 21, 2025
Love came down at Christmas! (I love that song.)
“Love came down at Christmas,
Love all lovely, Love Divine;
Love was born at Christmas,
Star and Angels gave the sign.”
I absolutely believe that the fullness of God’s love came to live on earth in Jesus. And I consider our annual celebration of Christmas to be an acknowledgement that God’s love is being borne deeply into us.
I appreciate that Mary Beth brought the theme “From the Manger” to our advent worship. The typical four week observance of Advent usually does not take enough time to appreciate the significance of the physical birth of Christ into the world. Our focus this year on the birth narrative in the Second Chapter of Luke has enriched my anticipation of Christmas in new ways.
Traditionally we spend our Christmas time and attention focused on the characters in our manger scenes at church and in our homes. (Be sure to take a few moments to appreciate the nativity which is set up in our narthex.) Mary and the baby are certainly central. Then there is Joseph standing protectively nearby. Of course we can’t forget an angel and a shepherd or two, three guys in weird hats and lots of animals.
We usually barely notice or we skip all together the trip to The Temple in Jerusalem when Jesus was 6 weeks old. And we skip the encounters there with Simeon and Anna. Notice that they don’t show up in our manger scene.
Today I want to put a spotlight on Simeon. We don’t really know anything about him other than what is written in Luke 2:25-35. As the Common English Bible translation is shown on the screens, I want to set the stage for the scripture that started our service today. I will share the 'Pastor Terry translation’ of the Greek. I have tried to capture more of the richness of this powerful chapter in Jesus’ life.
Common English Bible Translation:
25 A man named Simeon was in Jerusalem. He was righteous and devout. He eagerly anticipated the restoration of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. 26 The Holy Spirit revealed to him that he wouldn’t die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.
25 The King James translation gets the beginning of this passage right: “And Behold (Greek “see or take notice!)” there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon.”
He was righteous and had all the virtues expected of a good Jew (from respectfulness to prudence to discerning to learned;)
And he lived in eager anticipation of the imminent bringing together in unity of Israel, … and the holy spirit was upon him. 26 The Holy Spirit had revealed to him that he wouldn’t die before he had seen God’s Christ (properly translated God’s anointed One I.E. someone having God’s authority above all rulers).
Common English Bible Translation:
27 Led by the Spirit, he went into the temple area. Meanwhile, Jesus’ parents brought the child to the temple so that they could do what was customary under the Law. 28 Simeon took Jesus in his arms and praised God. He said,
27 Led by the Spirit, he (Simeon) went into the Temple area at the same time as the parents brought little Jesus to do what was customary under the Law. 28 Simeon received Jesus into his arms and expressed gratitude to God.
This is where the LOVE in this scripture story struck me. Simeon RECEIVED (not TOOK) Jesus into his arms. What a loving thing happened there. Unlike what most translations say, according to the original text Simeon received Jesus and gave thanks to God.
I know something about that. I have had the opportunity to baptize a good number of babies. My standard practice is to meet with the Mom and Dad to talk about the meaning of baptism and go through how ritual works. On a few occasions, I have not been able to have that meeting, and they have not been forewarned that I will receive their baby and walk around with him or her. On those occasions, they come to the front of the church, lovingly proud and cuddling that sweet child. Then when I reach out my arms to receive the baby, it strikes terror in the face of the mother! You want me to give you my precious tiny child? While I am handling the baby, the mother has terror in her eyes until she has the baby safely back in her arms.
It is a terrifyingly loving act for a parent to hand a baby to a stranger to be blessed. Each time I baptized a child, I felt the love of God moving in me and from me. I can’t even imagine how much more Simeon felt love as he gently received Jesus from Mary into his loving arms. Not only did Mary hand Jesus to Simeon, but God lovingly handed the baby over to the world.
Before I go further, would you pray with me and for me? Lord God, I pray that you will receive us into your loving arms and bless us with your revelation and glory as we consider how your love grew from the manger into the love we feel for humanity. Amen.
As Simeon lovingly held Jesus, he gave thanks to God, probably starting with the traditional Hebrew words: “Blessed are You, Adonay our God, King of the Universe,” and he may have included the words: “He will send our Messiah at the end of days, to redeem all who await His final deliverance.”
and then He said,
Common English Bible Translation:
29 “Now, master, let your servant go in peace according to your word,
30 because my eyes have seen your salvation.
31 You prepared this salvation in the presence of all peoples.
32 It’s a light for revelation to the Gentiles
and a glory for your people Israel.”
29 Now master, release your worker in peace like you said you would.
30 because my eyes have seen the physical reality of your salvation
31 which you have prepared in front of all the people.
32 It’s a light for revelation and discovery to the non-Jews and a glory for your people Israel.”
Common English Bible Translation:
33 His father and mother were amazed by what was said about him. 34 Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “This boy is assigned to be the cause of the falling and rising of many in Israel and to be a sign that generates opposition 35 so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your innermost being too.”
33 Joseph and Jesus’ mother marveled at what was said about him. 34 Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “This boy is set up to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel and to be a sign that generates opposition 35 And a sword will pierce your own soul, so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed.”
This was a lot for even the mother of Jesus to take in. She knew what the angel had told her, what she had agreed to, and what she had experienced in the miraculous things that night when Jesus was born. But the encounter with Simeon must have put a lot of reality in front of Mary and Joseph.
Simeon’s prayer lifted Jesus up as God’s Christ - God’s chosen one over all the authorities and rulers in the world. Only God would care for - would love - every person in creation enough to save them from evil, suffering and hardship. That day, God literally lay there in Simeon’s arms as he acknowledged the reality of God’s salvation.
And Simeon’s words provided context for Jesus’ lifetime. As he grew into maturity, he lived God’s love. True to Simeon’s prayer, Jesus brought freedom and light of God’s love to both the Jews and the Gentiles. Just one of the places in our Bible where God’s love in Jesus is described is Matthew 9:35-36.
Common English Bible Translation:
35 Jesus traveled among all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, announcing the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and every sickness. 36 Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he had compassion for them because they were troubled and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.
Christ’s love - God’s love - grew from the manger into a love and compassion for all people that was strong enough to live for. And it was strong enough even to die for.
God’s love was born to the world, to Jews and to everybody else, as an active, compassionate, and personal savior. Will you embrace a Christmas that celebrates that love in community with each other? Do you think this is a love you can live for? Are you willing to receive that gift of love from God? Glory to God in the Highest and peace to all on earth.
AFFIRMATION OF LOVE
Leader: Let us affirm our commitment to and belief in the Christian discipline of love.
Leader: We believe love was born into this world as a tiny child, bringing freedom and salvation to all people.
People: We believe love embraces us in our joy and our sorrow, holding us closely and never letting go.
Leader: We believe love is expansive and inclusive, guiding us to see the humanity in each other.
People: We believe love empowers us to provide nourishment for the hungry and hospitality for the stranger.
Leader: We believe love calls us to act with compassion, even when it is difficult and costly.
People: We believe love inspires us to build a community where every person is valued, their dignity affirmed, and their worth celebrated.
Leader: We believe love challenges us to confront systems of injustice that cause hunger and inequality.
People: We believe love compels us to advocate for change, seeking justice and equity for all people.
Leader: We believe love teaches us that when we give of ourselves, we reflect the heart of God.
People: Let the people be loving, not just in words, but in actions that transform lives and systems.
Leader: Let the people be loving, creating a world where God’s love is made visible in every act of kindness, justice, and advocacy.
People: Let us love boldly, working together to ensure that all have what they need to thrive. Amen.
CHARGE AND BENEDICTION
May Christ, whose mission was love and whose compassion knew no bounds, guide you on the journey.
May the love of our Creator,
who calls us to care for the hungry and oppressed, surround you.
And may the fellowship of the Holy Spirit,
who empowers us to imagine a kingdom where all needs are met, strengthen you, now and always.
Go in hope, peace, joy, and love to feed the hungry, comfort the afflicted, and share the good news of Christ’s coming.