2022 Worship Guide

2022 Worship Guide LINCOLN DAILY NEWS December 1, 2022 Page 21 By Casey McCormick Mount Pulaski Christian Church ” When the time came for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be con - secrated to the Lord”), and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: “a pair of doves or two young pigeons. “Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. It had been re- vealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.” Luke 2:22-32 To those who seek peace, These words are recorded right after the well- known “Christmas Story”. I believe they get passed over more often than not. Maybe we could call this a hidden gem. Joseph and Mary showed their commitment to God by taking these recorded steps. Nothing too exciting so far. Then, they meet Simeon. Notice two phrases here: “ It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation… ” Simeon waited his entire life, a life that he devoted to God, but only found peace when he met Jesus. I pray for all who are looking for peace to look to Jesus. Merry Christmas seek Jesus