Something Better left unopened under the tree

My oldest son is a man of tradition: When once asked if he like to “think outside of the box”, he replied that instead, he would “rather create new boxes to think inside of“. Classic answer. So in what has come to be a tradition at our house, we viewed our annual installment of Dicken’s Christmas Carol with Patrick Stuart, and then sat down to watch clips from the decade old Neil Diamond Christmas special. It was here that I was struck by the adaptation of lyrics from a song, by John Lennon, and Yoko Ono, War is Over. In his adaptation, Diamond begins,

And so this is Christmas and what have you done, another year older and a new one just begun…

Hmm. My age… did we have to talk about that again? But it is true. Everyone within the sound of my voice is another year older. Whether you’re 6 or 60, its true. So What do you do with our “age” as we watch another year wash under our frame?

As I thought about this, my eyes fall upon a familiar story in Luke 2. I wonder if aging Simeon and Anna ever contemplated the nature and specifics of their own mortality? Like maybe over a cup of espresso? I wonder just what, “waiting for the consolation of Israel really meant for them?” Do you know? Ever waited years for something? Ever felt the temptation to give up hope?

That’s why I think its time to see our age as an asset to God’s kingdom story — instead of bemoaning another year of mere existence, here’s to the fulfillment found in pursuing A Christian life with clear goals and a firm grasp on reality.

Examined as a unit, what do these two saints have going for them that seem to be in short supply in our day?

1. They seem first to have mastered the art of spiritual maturity. Jesus’ first encounter with adults beyond his parents and those shepherds are two mature souls who have been waiting for his arrival for years. They have found a way to incorporate the discipline of prayer, fasting, and worship into their daily lives. Anna for one has discovered that prayers offered once and without the depth and persistence of determination will travel no further than the ceiling. She understood that fasting carefully practiced filled the void left by the absence of food with the promises of a loving God. And that worship, rightly understood, sees God as the weighty ruler of the universe, The one who promised the deliverer, and the only one who can deliver on the promise. Can I suggest that Good, true, and honest worship is compelling– it draws us to those who know how to do it well.
2. They seem to have mastered the concept of life-long service. Anna and Simeon have spent their time in close proximity to the temple. Yes, they were some of those who showed up regularly and served. ( Luke 2: 37) She was heavily involved in all aspects of temple service. That’s what the verse means. There is a certain regularity and continuity within their lives. They had made their lives part of the larger temple ministry
3. And then, they seem to have mastered a certain level of wisdom. The whole art of wisdom living is learning to live within the lines established by Scripture; its the work of a skilled craftsman, a shrewd business model, and one dedicated wholly to God. In a world created by God, the wise ones are those who move about in step within the narrative of a loving God. Of Simeon, it says, he was righteous and devout: Devout suggests someone who takes hold well, walks circumspectly, with a certain carefulness in his steps. Taken collectively, A.T. Robertson says,

… Simeon and Anna were representative of real piety in this time of spiritual dearth and deadness (Robertson 27).

These two, considered their times, searched the Scriptures, and saw Christ lingering through the pages.

And so, this is Christmas,

And what have you done, another year older….

So let’s talk:

1. Instead of Chronological age, can you speak to a greater depth of your spiritual knowledge, insight, or discernment? Maybe more basic? Do you care to lift the lid and look under the hood?
2. Have you realized the joy of serving, finding yourself in the work of the church? If not, what’s holding you back?
3. Is your wisdom (or lack of), reflected in the life of another? Let’s find someone with whom you have interacted, affected, impacted, and let’s ask them how that’s gone? What’s better about their life? Or worse?

Here’s to serving Christ for another year… whether the wind is at your back or in your face.

MJC