Reflection on Luke 2:22-40

There is one phrase in this entire continuing story of Jesus’ birth and childhood that says everything: "a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons." 

When Jesus is presented at the temple, his parents offer a sacrifice of two turtledoves or two young pigeons as his offering to the Lord.  This offering gives us a fuller picture of faith as we move from the holidays.

I will tell you what I mean. 

You see, the holidays are supposed to be full of cheer and joy.  They are supposed to be times of abundance, giving, and gratitude.  In our society, the holidays are expected to be a big, positive, celebration with family and friends. 

When they are not, then we go away disappointed and depressed. 

But, this continuing Christmas story that Luke tells puts it all into perspective for us.  Jesus’ parents, Mary and Joseph, gave two turtledoves or two young pigeons as his offering to the Lord.  In other words, they were poor. 

They were not rich enough to give a goat or another great offering.  They had to use the welfare-like prescription in the ancient law that allowed them to use a more humble animal for sacrifice. 

The first Christmas was not one of abundance, but one of a birth in a small animal shed and a paltry sacrifice.  Jesus was not born into perfection, he was born into reality.

And, reality is full of both.  Reality is full of both angelic chorus and scraping by just to get your next meal.  It is full of dancing and singing with children and loneliness in the hospital bed.  It is full of accomplishments and days of failure.  Jesus, God with us, was born into our reality.  He was not born into our imaginings of perfection.

Even the baby Jesus himself gets a dose of reality in this scene at the temple.  As his poor family walks around the temple, they are shocked by the righteous man, Simeon, who grabs Jesus and pronounces with joy that he had finally, in his old age, seen the salvation of the Lord.  Jesus, a member of this poor family, is honored with the highest distinction possible for a young boy in ancient Israel, Messiah, and blessed for the life that will come. 

Simeon also blesses Jesus’ parents, but gives Mary the oddest sort of blessing.  He says, "This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your own soul too." 

Reality.

Jesus life is destined for greatness, but swords will also pierce.

Reality.  This life is not only about the blessings and joy that come out of nowhere, like the day early on in our marriage that my wife and I were looking at our bills, wondering how we were possibly going to make it through the holidays with some food, much less presents for each other.  And, just as we opened the mail, we saw a curious letter from the State of Minnesota.  We opened it, and there was a check.  It was Jessie Ventura’s famous tax rebate from the late 1990s.  He cut government spending and gave the balance back to the people of Minnesota, and ours came at just the right time. 

We felt blessed that very moment.  But, the reality was that there would be more days of struggle without rebate checks randomly showing up in the mail.  Reality.

This life is full of ups and downs.  This life is full of greatness for us and our children and swords that pierce our souls. 

This life is life. 

It is not the fake perfection of family holidays, but the reality of the days that follow.  Jesus was born, not into the fake, idealized stuff, but into the reality.

Jesus does grow to be great in wisdom and understanding.  He does grow to be the long anticipated Messiah.  But, no one at the idealized, angel filled stable realized what being Messiah actually meant.  It meant hoards of followers like a rock star, yes, yes.  But, it also meant death on a cross, alone.  Jesus was born into our reality, and it is in reality where he will be found.

He is there both when you celebrate another birthday, and when you find out about the cancer. 

He is there both when you celebrate the new child, and when you fear for their lives as they wander away. 

He is there both in the times when you are filled with faith and give of your time and money to help others, and in the times when you think only of yourself and cause total destruction. 

He is there bearing both blessing in the good times and grace and forgiveness in the times of struggle. 

He is there beaming with joy during times of greatness, and offering peace in the darkest moments. 

Jesus was born in a stable, presented to the Lord with doves or pigeons, and lived the life of real people.  And, it is in those real lives, our real lives, that he still resides through the Spirit. 

The Spirit of Jesus Christ is with you still. 

Even if. 

Even if the celebration is past and the reality has settled in.  He is there.

Simeon too has his highs and his lows.  He holds the very salvation of the world in his hands.  What a beautiful scene.  A true high. 

But, he also prays that he might now go to die.  A true low. 

Yet, in the reality of his situation he prays a simple thing.  He prays simply that he may “go in peace.” 

Peace. 

This is what I pray for you.  Peace throughout the highs and throughout the lows.  Peace during times of greatness and during the times of trial.  I pray for peace for you as you face your reality.  I pray for you the peace of Jesus, the peace that surpasses all understanding.  I pray for you the peace that calms in the face of the storm.  I pray for you the peace that sustains though it all.  I pray that you might live in a spirit of peace until the last day of your life, and beyond.