Cycle B

Good News B10a

Luke 2:22-40 New American Bible

Luke 2:22-40 Bible Gateway New International Version

Baby Jesus Is Presented to the Lord

Forty days after a baby was born, it was a tradition for the parents to take the baby to the temple and offer two turtle doves as a sacrifice and to dedicate the child to God. February 2 is forty days after December 25. This is sometimes called Candlemas Day because of an old reading (Zephaniah 1:12) "I will search Jerusalem with candles." Churches sometimes have a candle-lit procession. Mary and Joseph took Jesus to the temple to consecrate him to God. It was amazing what they heard people say about their son. Simeon, a holy man who had studied the scriptures recognized that Jesus was the Messiah and also warned Mary that sadness would pierce her heart. We know that Jesus was crucified to save us from our sins. Anna said that all of Israel was waiting upon this child to redeem them. Just like you, people at the time of the birth of Jesus had been waiting for the birth of the Messiah. Simeon and Anna both knew from the scriptures that Jesus was the Messiah.

God rejoices when each new baby is born. Each baby is created in his image. You were created in God’s image. Look in the mirror. That twinkle in your eye and the curl in your hair take after your heavenly father. God loves you very much. He will help you grow strong and show you favor while you are at home with your parents.

Many times parents today have their baby baptized when they are six weeks old. This may be continuing the tradition of presenting a child to God. Today parents study and pray before they baptize their child. It is amazing every day of our lives how miraculous and blessed life is. Life in all families is to be cherished. Not all families are the same. Some have a mother, father and children. Others have mothers and fathers living separate from the children. Sometimes grandparents and grandchildren form a family. Whatever your family is, God wants you to know that he loves each member of your family. Ask God to bless your family by letting you know what his will is. Then ask him for the wisdom to carry out his will. Remember that God loves you very much. He wants you to obey your parents in all that is not evil. He wants you to love and respect your mother, father, sister, and brother. He wants you to help your family in any way you can to keep your home a neat, fun place to be, and a place where God knows you love him. If your family is having problems of any kind, be sure and ask God to help show you how to solve the problem. If your parents are in search of a job, ask God to open the doors of opportunity for them.

Say the “Our Father” and ask God to help you keep his spirit alive with your heart and the hearts of everyone in your family all year long.

“Our Father, who art in Heaven,

Hallowed be Thy name.

Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done,

On earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day, our daily bread.

And forgive us our trespasses,

As we forgive those who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.

Copyright © 2008 Joan Y. Edwards. www.joanyedwards.com/ All rights reserved.