Every Day Epiphanies

Art in the Christian Tradition

 Luke 2:22-40

Mary and Joseph were quite ordinary people. They started their day with a trip to the temple to fulfill their religious duty along with many others doing the same thing with their new baby, Jesus. Mary and Joseph weren't wealthy either. In this time, that means that they were consider poor, because everyone in that day and age was poor. The top 1% of the Roman elite lived in opulence but most of the rest of the population in the Roman empire was in poverty especially compared to modern times. For example one study, indicates that in 14AD, the average GDP per capita across the empire was only $570. That would make the average Roman poorer than the average citizen of every single on of the world's countries in our modern times. In our times some of the poorest countries range around $760 GDP per capita. This was a pre-industrial economy, farming and land ownership was paramount for those that could produce food to sell or to feed their families. Then there were those that were the skilled artisans, which likely Joseph and Jesus would have fallen into this category, they likely made a minimum level to sustain life. They needed to rely on God to provide for their needs, they would have lived day to day. 

This is also reflected in the gifts that Mary and Joseph bring when they come to the temple in our text this morning. On the eight day they came with an offering of a pair of birds, which reflects the option for those that couldn't afford to bring a sheep or a cow. The Israelite were asked to bring the best they could for God, that included the first and best of the crops, the first and best of the animals, as a way to acknowledge God's blessings in their lives. To keep things straight in our minds, in Luke Chapter 2:21, the scripture tells us that they had already brought in Jesus to be circumcised and named as was the Jewish tradition for all male boys. So, in this trip to the temple, they were fulfilling the requirements of purification that are contained in Leviticus 12:7-8. These represent three rituals, circumcision and naming, ritual purification and the presentation of the first born. 

Mary was required to be purified and to present Jesus at the temple for a dedication. This lets us know that the family was also religious, they were open to the things of God and wanted to do what God had asked of them. In a way, it was about their receptivity to the sacred things of God and God's saving activity in the world that might have made the difference. Recall how they had received a revelation from God, and a visit from the angel Gabriel. Many times there are sacred experiencing and holy promptings that are around us, but we may be inclined to ignore. In doing so, we may close the door to these every day epiphanies. 

We don't have to powerful or have wealth to be part of God's saving activity, just as Mary and Joseph really were an 'ordinary' family what set them apart was only their spirit, their willingness, their openness. But even the holy family didn't really know what to expect. In fact, none of the people in this story do. They probably all got up that morning and got ready as they often did, Mary and Joseph preparing to go to the temple that day, Simeon, and Anna. Yet they all are going to have a remarkable encounter. First we see Simeon. Little is actually said about Simeon. He may have been a priest, or a scholar, he is not identified as such. He is identified as a faithful waiter. What we do know for sure, is that he had been told by the Holy Spirit that he would not die until he had seen the Messiah, the chosen one of Israel. 

He had been waiting for this promised moment, and suddenly, that moment came to him when he saw Mary and Joseph and the Christ child. We are told that he gave a blessing taking the baby in his arms: 

28Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying,29 “Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation,which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.”

The day of Salvation had dawned, as promised by the prophets, God's promises were going to be fulfilled in this little child that was being brought to the temple. God kept God's promises. Yet the temple was probably filled that day, I always imagine the temple as a place that is bustling with activity, people meeting and greeting, catching up and socializing, animals being brought for sacrifice, the priests busy in their duties, organizing and tending to people, children being brought for their circumcision and dedications, there was probably music and a temple orchestra. Yet in the midst of all this only two people recognize Jesus. 

The other is Anna, we are told that she is also a prophet, of the tribe of Asher. She was of great age, so we know that she is elderly, eighty-four years of age, which in that time is extremely old. She was one that never left the temple but was dedicated to serving in the temple constantly day and night. She lived in the temple, took her meals, and slept in the temple, served in the temple, and spend her time in prayer and fasting. Her reaction is beautiful. 

In Simeon's case, he is grounded in reality. He doesn't lie to Mary, he prepares her, he lets her know that although her son brings a promise of great joy and redemption that the world needs, it would come with a price, she herself would face great heartbreak. Too often as Christians, we see the Christian life only in terms of victory or God's promises and faith and we think this means we will never have trials, tribulations, suffering, misfortune and calamity. This is not the witness of the Bible. Scripture very clearly tells us that we will have suffering in this life, and Simeon does his best to prepare Mary for the reality that her life of obedience will not come without sacrifice, but that is still folded in the promise that God will always bring about healing and redemption out of our pain. 

We are told later at the end of this chapter that Mary 51 “Then he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was obedient to them, and his mother treasured all these things in her heart.”

Mary doesn't fully understand what lies in her future, but she does faithfully trust that she will keep these words in her heart. When she needs them, they will be able to uphold her, and help give her context for her life and how God is at work both for her and for her people. In Anna's case, she encounters and connects with everyone that she is able to at the temple on that day, and engages them in a conversation about the baby she has just seen, the promised Messiah, Jesus, having come to the temple. She makes connections and shares the good news of the message. 

Every Day Epiphanies for Us

Notice for Simeon and Anna, first Simeon was looking for this moment, he knew that one day he was promised to see this child, but if he hadn't been looking, it likely would have missed Jesus. But he was looking. Too often, we get so busy working and doing, that we don't take time to just listen, think and reflect. Often when things get quite, we then begin to have thought that come that are thoughts that we have to deal with. We can find a counselor or therapist to help if we need to. When we can spend time in silence we can often be more aware of the people around us, and of what is happening around us to ourselves and to others. Anna, spent time in prayer and fasting. I don't think she would have recognized Jesus if she hadn't been spending time tending to her spiritual life. Living our Christian life require us to do some reflection and some self assessment as we think back on the experiences we have had, and reflect on God's word, on prayers, on scripture and most importantly on the person of Jesus as we see Jesus revealed in the gospels. 

This year, as we approach a new year, lets open ourselves to what the Holy Spirit like Simeon and Anna, looking for those everyday Epiphanies. What is Jesus is calling us to be and do in the new year? How can we be sensitive to sacred moments, to the promptings of the Holy Spirit, to Jesus in our everyday? Anna and Simeon realized that Jesus wasn't just a ticket to heaven, Jesus came for to change our world and to change us forever, if we can open ourselves up and be receptive.