A Joy to Many Others: Simeon's Advent Announcement

Hello, friends. My name is Brad and I’m part of the teaching and leadership team here at Jericho Ridge.  Welcome to the third Sunday of Advent.  We’ve been walking this season here at Jericho Ridge online through an exploration of the Joyful HOPE that we have as people of faith. And we’ve asking how we can experience things like hope, peace, love and joy in the middle of a global pandemic and a bit of a bummer Christmas?  We are sure going to have some memories of the Christmas of 2020, aren’t we? 

One of the reasons for that is that we remember things that have a strong impact on us – emotionally, financially, relationally or spiritually.  One of the ways that this impact is communicated to us is through the words spoken over or into our lives.  Words have incredible power! 

Jewish author Yehuda Berg once said that “Words are singularly the most powerful force available to humanity. We can choose to use this force constructively with words of encouragement, or destructively using words of despair. Words have energy and power with the ability to help, to heal, to hinder, to hurt, to harm, to humiliate and to humble.”

We all inherently know this to be true, don’t we, from lived experience.  We can all likely remember words of encouragement or affirmation spoken over our lives by someone we admired.  You might still remember the sting of words that hurt you – someone who spoke out something that was not true about you to others who reinforced it so you came to believe it as true.  You might remember something a teacher said on your report card about your character or work ethic (for example, my elementary teachers often said “Brad talks too much in class” and now Brad talks for a living so take that Mrs. Burnham – who was a lovely teacher, by the way). 

Some of the most powerful words in my life have been prayerful prophetic words or encouragement and hope spoken over me.  Words that someone prayed over me that gave me a picture of what was on God’s heart for me to pursue. Or words of blessing that affirmed my belovedness as a son of God when I was facing very dark and lonely times.  Words have incredible power, especially when they are the words that God desires to speak into our lives for the purposes of encouragement and edification.  That is one of the reasons why we value the preaching of God’s Word here at Jericho Ridge on a weekly basis.

The power of words spoken into the life of another is also embedded in the Christmas story.  It’s a part that perhaps gets a bit overshadowed by the main event at the beginning of Luke 2 – shepherd and angels and all that.  We are going to pick up the story right after Mary treasured up all these things in her heart in Luke 2:19. Eight days after, to be precise.  Turn with me in your Bibles or on your devices to Luke 2:21.

We see here that Jesus’ mother Mary and earthly father Joseph were both devout, God-fearing Jewish people.  In that they followed all of the laws and religious rituals that were set out in the Old Testament.  8 Days after he was born, their first born son was circumcised and give the name Jeshua (or Jesus), which was the name that the angel had instructed His parents to give him before he was born.  (Takes all the guess work out of choosing a name when the angel just shows up and gives it to you, doesn’t it!)

Then we see in Luke 2:22, that 40 days after Jesus’ birth, Mary and Joseph make the trip to Jerusalem in order to visit the temple, the centre of ancient religious life in first century Palestine. They are there to the purification offering as required by the Law of Moses.  A whoel chapter of the Bible is written about this Leviticus 12.  They take Jesus along to dedicate Him to God – this is part of the origin of many church’s tradition of family dedications. 

In these verses in Luke 2, we get insight that Jesus doesn’t come from a rich, well-connected elite status family.  His parents offer the sacrifice of (sung) “two turtle doves” or two young pigeons.  This is the offering of a person of modest means.  If Jesus’ family was wealthy, they would have brought a sacrificial lamb to the temple.  But Jesus comes from a humble family, humble economic and social origins.  Right in his birth narrative Jesus is identified strongly with the very people He came to seek and to save.  Isaiah 61:1 prophesies that the coming King, Messiah will be filled with the Spirit of the Sovereign lord - “for the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed.”  

And what happens next would be a surprise to any new parents.  Mary and Joseph and sweet baby Jesus are there hanging out in the Temple, doing their thing when all of a sudden, an older man comes up to them.  He takes the baby out of mommas arms and begins to sing.  He begins to praise God.  Who is this guy? Why doesn’t anyone call Temple security? 

Let’s look at his story, which is told briefly for us in Luke 2:25:

“At that time there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon. He was righteous and devout and was eagerly waiting for the Messiah to come and rescue Israel. The Holy Spirit was upon him 26 and had revealed to him that he would not die until he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27 That day the Spirit led him to the Temple. So when Mary and Joseph came to present the baby Jesus to the Lord as the law required, 28 Simeon was there.”

I love this description of Simeon!  Righteous. Devout.  The Holy Spirit is upon him – remember, this was pre-Pentecost and so prior to the widespread outpouring of God’s Spirit into the world!  But God’s Spirit speaks words to Simeon.  We don’t know exactly how Simeon came to understand that as God’s words to him, but Simeon hears and takes it as a promise from the Almighty – that he will not die until he had seen the promised Messiah.  Wow!  We are not given to know how old he was when God spoke those words into Simeon’s heart and head.  But we do know that he was eagerly waiting.  He was watching.  He has a sense of hope. 

But here’s the thing about joyful hope.  It’s a bit hard to manufacture it.  I don’t know if you’ve found this, but I know I have as the pandemic wears on longer and longer.  Sustaining joyful hope gets harder and harder.  You can get excited about something for a bit and then, boom, hopes are dashed.  Plans are made and then, boom… You get new news of restrictions or case counts in your school or city and things have to change. Or something you were excited about doesn’t turn out to be as awesome as you thought it might be.  Joyful hope is hard to muster up.  

So if I’m Simeon, I get up on day one after I get this promise from God and think “Oh wow! Yesterday God gave me this promise that I would see Messiah before I die!  Hooray!  Is today the day, God?”  And if I’m Simeon, as I lay my head down on my pillow that night, I begin to think “OK, so it wasn’t today. Maybe tomorrow, God?”  Then tomorrow comes and goes.  Still no Messiah.  Then a week turns into a month. Months turn into years.  Still no Saviour of the world.  Now if I’m Simeon, I am getting downright discouraged.  I am starting to doubt the promise. I’m starting to doubt God’s timeline on this whole thing.  Maybe you’ve been there. I know I have.  Maybe you find yourself there right now.  Thinking or saying: “Hurry up, God! Let’s get this whole promise thing moving!”   

I love what a super-impatient follower of Jesus named Peter wrote later on in his life: “But you must not forget this one thing, dear friends: A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day. 9 The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake.”  We keep coming back to this theme as we press into the waiting of Advent… God’s timeline is not your timeline or my timeline.   And Simeon’s story reinforces this yet again. 

But I LOVE what the text does tell us about Simeon.  Verse 27 says “that day, the Spirit led him to the Temple”.  In other words, Simeon maintained a vitalized, listening posture when it came to his interactions with God.  Simeon didn’t grow weary or throw in the towel or give up because this whole Messiah thing is taking FORVER!!!  No. He stays eager and open to the work and word of the Spirit.  He knows that if he gets a hard heart, that the chance is there that he will miss what God has promised him.  And he wants to lay his own eyes on the Saviour of the world.  So he waits and he watches for God’s words to come to fruition in his life. 

Which means that he allows the Spirit to direct his steps day by day.  I’m not sure what else he may have had in his calendar that particular day, but something inside of Simeon told him “you need to be at the temple today”.  This is often how God’s Sprit works in our world, isn’t it friends?  You may well be able to tell your own stories of a sense or impression God gave you that you acted on.  Sometimes God gives us a general promise – something big picture.  In Simeon’s case, it was “you will not die before you see Messiah”. AND God’s Spirit also gives Simeon the patience to wait. AND the Spirit gives Simeon the nudge to get to a certain place on a certain day. 

Here’s the thing friends, if you want your life to be predictable, Christianity is the wrong religion for you and Jericho Ridge is the wrong church for you!  Throughout our 15 year history, we have experienced anything BUT predictability as we have sought to follow Jesus!  I love how the author of Galatians puts this in Galatians 5:25: “Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.”  In other words, the Spirit is always on the move.  The Spirit is always leading and guiding and speaking and saying “follow me!  Keep in step with me!”  Our job is not to run too far ahead (that’s the sin of control) or lag to far behind (the sin of disobedience).   Our job as people of faith is to pay attention. To keep up. Because the Spirit of God is not about helping you living a tame, predictable life. 

“Celtic Christians had a name for the Holy Spirit–An Geadh-Glas, or ‘the Wild Goose.’ (I’m sure I butchered that – no letters, please)

Pastor Mark Batterson wrote a book about following God and picked up on that title: He called the book Wild Goose Chase.  “The name hints at mystery. Much like a wild goose, the Spirit of God cannot be tracked or tamed. An element of danger, an air of unpredictability surround Him. And while the name may sound a little sacrilegious, I cannot think of a better description of what it’s like to follow the Spirit through life. I think the Celtic Christians were on to something…. Most of us will have no idea where we are going most of the time. And I know that is unsettling. But circumstantial uncertainty also goes by another name: Adventure.”

I like to think of Simeon in those terms.  An old man who is still attending to the voice of the Spirit who says “Simeon… are you up for one more adventure? Head to the Temple today.  Something is afoot”. And so he heads down – still unsure what to pay attention to in the all of the ustle and bustle.  There would have been hundreds and hundreds of people streaming in and out of that space.  And yet the Spirit continues to guide Simeon. Somehow he sees and senses what he could not know except that it be revealed to him supernaturally.  That child. He is the One.  That infant is Messiah come to rescue Israel and indeed all of the world. 

So he takes the baby in his arms and he lets out what is the fourth hymn in Luke’s gospel. Mary’s Magnificat, Zacharias’ Benedictus, the Angelic song of Glory To God in the Highest sung loudly and brightly over the skies of Bethlehem, and now Simeon utters what is known as the “Nunc dimittis” (the Latin name comes from the opening words, of the Vulgate translation of the passage, meaning "Now you dismiss"). 

He utters a hymn of praise that is a beautiful declaration of God’s faithfulness to God’s promises:  Look with me at Luke 2:29-32

“Sovereign Lord, now let your servant die in peace, as you have promised. 30 I have seen your salvation, 31     which you have prepared for all people. 32 He is a light to reveal God to the nations, and he is the glory of your people Israel!” 

Simeon is incredibly mature in his faith declaration and he highlights aspects of Jesus’ character that are for not just for him, but also for us.   There’s three I want to draw our attention to briefly. 

Firstly, Simeon has a sense of contentedness in his part and place in God’s plan.  He had a role to play.  He was a faithful servant.  He played his part and now his time is up.  He is at peace.  Commentator Darrell L. Bock says “there is joy, even in the face of death, when one has seen the source of life. Simeon's job as a sentinel for Messiah is done. The Lord can take him home.”  How about you?  What part is yours to play in God’s unfolding drama of redemption in the world?  And when you part is completed and you come to the latter years of your life, are you content with that or striving for one more strut across the stage?  Godliness with contentment is great gain.  Simeon is content. He has played his part well and now he can depart in peace. 

Secondly, Simeon has a very powerful equation embedded in his declaration.  And that is that those who have seen this little baby, have seen God in human form.  To see Jesus is to see God’s Salvation. If you want to know what God is like, look at Jesus.  If you want to know the supreme nature of God’s self-revelation, look at the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus the Christ.  Jesus is what God is like.  This helps, not totally, but focally, resolve some of the tensions and questions people have wrestled with throughout history – but what about violence in the Bible or Christian celebrity pastors who behave poorly or churches who hurt people or….  God revealed Himself supremely not in these ways or places, but in Jesus Christ.  So how about you? Where are you looking to find God?  Look no further than Jesus.

Third, Simone’s declaration helps us to see that God’s work is for ALL people.  “He is a light to reveal God to the nations AND he is the glory of your people Israel’. In other words, yes, God had promises to send a savior for the ancient Jewish people BUT not for them exclusively or only.  God’s plan was always to show God’s love for the whole world. To reveal God’s whole heart to all of the nations.  And also save the people of God who identified with Israel.  So any god that feels nationalistic or is only interested in blessing Canada or the nation where you live or the people you hang out with or the denomination that you are part of is not the God revealed in the Scriptures.  The Sovereign Lord is Lord over every nation, tribe and tongue.  The King over and beyond every King and every leader of every nation that has even been or will even be. 

The way of salvation was in some sense, not known clearly before His coming.  But the light has broken into the darkness.  Maybe for you, friend, today is that day.  You are feeling lost and alone and broken and empty.  Your life feels dark.  Today I want to tell you that Jesus came to bring light and life to those places in the deepest part of you that feel that way.  Salvation, rescue, love, has been prepared for you.  Jesus is the light of world, revealing the things of heaven and all its mysteries.  But you have to choose to walk into the light.  You have to choose to follow Jesus.  And you start that journey with a simple prayer saying: Jesus, I choose to believe!”  If you are watching on our Church Online platform, in invite you to click the “salvation” moment that just came up – that puts you into a private chat with one of our pastorals staff.  If you are watching on Youtube, then email me.  It would be a great privilege to help you take the next step on your spiritual journey. 

And friends, Simeon isn’t quite done yet!  Look with me at Luke 2:33-35

“Jesus’ parents were amazed at what was being said about him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them, and he said to Mary, the baby’s mother, “This child is destined to cause many in Israel to fall, and many others to rise. He has been sent as a sign from God, but many will oppose him. 35 As a result, the deepest thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your very soul.” 

Simeon knows that Jesus, in his earthy life, as in every generation since, will bring division as well as peace.  This is because the relation of God in Jesus will bring division because it forces a choice.  Some will oppose and reject… Some will receive and believe.  God has fulfilled god’s promise and sent a sign.  The Virgin Mary conceived a baby and gave birth to a son who was to bring consolation to those who were seeking God’s presence. But opposition from many others who did not believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God. 

This is also why the deepest thoughts of our hearts are revealed when it comes to our engagement with Jesus.  Jesus is God’s litmus test for response – if I say ‘yes’ to Jesus and to the life and light that He offers to me and to the world, then that reveals where you stand before God.  Ultimately one day every knee will bow, the Scripture says, and every tongue will confess or recognize that Jesus Is Lord.  But you and I are called to do this while it is still called today.  What you do with Jesus matters friends. Which is why Christmas is so important. 

And then Simeon finishes, not with a tidy bow on top, but with a kind of ominous warming for Mary as a mother.  Darryl Bock again: Mary “will feel a mother's pain as she watches her son go his own way and suffer rejection, but the sword also reflects the pain anyone who identifies with Jesus feels as the world rejects what Jesus has to offer.”

Friends, Jesus is here today.  God is amongst us today – right now, when you are sitting or watching or listening.  And the same invitation is given to you and me as was proclaimed by Simeon; will you be amongst those who reject, ignore and resist Jesus or will you receive thin infant holy, infant lowly as a sign from God – the one who ahs come to be a Joy to many”.  The who reveals the things of god to you.  God is coming to us, friends.  In creative and quiet ways.  The question is, are we willing to respond and come to Him.  Let’s pray together. 

Family News (“Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus” precedes)

3 things to let you know about this week:

• Christmas Eve – One gathering online at 6:30 PM. It’s sad that we can’t be together in person in this season but we are working hard to make this a meaningful, fun and engaging hour for you and for our community.    

• We are launching a JRCC Christmas Card Postal Service – if you’ve been wondering “how do I get my Christmas Cards to other people?” (or, if you are like me, you are thinking ‘I wonder if COVID means I can get a card out by Valentine’s Day and that still “count?"). We are going to try a little experiment where JRCC becomes your post office for the distribution of your Christmas cards. Here’s how it will work… - If you want to write a card or send a note of encouragement to others at Jericho, send a email to

• When you do, we will send you a list (names only) of the approximately 80 single adults and families connected with JRCC. Spend time praying about who God wants you to send a card to and what you might write in that card. It may be 3 cards, it may be 30 cards. This isn’t solely about convenience or saving postage – this is about keeping the bonds of community strong during a time when we can’t be together. So be bold and take the step of writing an encouragement note or Christmas card to someone outside of your usual social circle at Jericho. Maybe it is someone you have never met at all.
• All completed cards are to be delivered to the office by Sunday, Dec. 20 so that we can sort them, plan out delivery routes. If you come outside of office hours, simply drop them in our mailbox! We will deliver or mail the cards on the week of Dec 21-24. We will also drop off the Kids Packs for Christmas Eve.

• We can only undertake these kinds of community supporting ministries because of the generosity of people who call JRCC home Thank you for giving generosity. The most cost effective way to give is e-transfer so email or go over to our website Jerichoridge.com/give.   

• We also currently have a matching grant challenge underway for our Capital Campaign fund. A generous donor has come forward and offered to match any and all gifts given to the capital campaign till Dec 31 up to a maximum of $30,000.  So every dollar you give becomes 2!  We invited you to give on Giving Tuesday and I am so excited to report that for the week Nov 30 - Dec 6, 2020 you gave $16,570.00!  That means that the total given to this campaign to date: is $20,675!  Let’s max out this matching grant, gang!  This is very exciting news. 

Let me offer you a Benedictory Advent prayer

Here’s a Christmas benediction from Roddy Hamilton’s Mucky Paws website. It is inspired by Simeon’s song (Luke 2:25-27).

Christmas Benediction

May all wonder find a place in your soul
and dance with you unexpected steps;

May all joy be at home within your heart
and weave a sacred rhythm throughout this life and all to come;

May unsolved mysteries make your life an adventure
and pull you towards unknown places waiting for you since the very beginning;

May blessing be your forever-companion
and cradle you, strengthen you and love you always;

May all stillness snuggle into your soul
forging a peace that gives to all things a place;

May the ebb and flow of life be a daily gift
offering times of pain and celebration and healing;

and may God let you see what others miss:
promise cradled in every wonder,
the flow of life shaping a sacred story
where love, and you, dance together daily.

And when eyes that have seen all living
draw into focus salvation’s intent,
may they recognize at days end
a promise, a deed, a gift
fresh born in the world.

Go in the LOVE of God, friends.  We’ll see you next week in this space where Rose will look at prophetic voice in the Christmas narrative, Anna.  I look forward to seeing you there.