Luke 2:29-32 - A Christmas Sacrifice of Helplessness

There were times in the past few weeks when I felt completely helpless. I had no idea that a slipped disk could knock one down so low! For the first time several decades, I didn't have the health and strength to write Christmas cards, put up decorations, bake my grandmother's Swedish cookies--all the things to "properly" get ready for the season.

Yet at the same time, it was about the best Christmas we've ever had. It was the first time we haven't had all our kids with us at some point for the holidays, but they made some sacrifices to have at least half of the family with Mom and Dad in Iowa. And there was the joy of having a baby girl in the family as of October; a baby boy due in March. Babies born in the middle of a pandemic point to the hope of better days.

Things looked bleak for the Jewish people two thousand some years ago. Joseph and Mary in all their poverty must have sensed it as keenly as anyone. But when they took Jesus to the temple to dedicate him, an old man named Simeon took the baby Jesus in his arms and said:

29 “Sovereign Lord, now let your servant die in peace, as you have promised. 30 I have seen your salvation, 31 which you have prepared for all people. 32 He is a light to reveal God to the nations, and he is the glory of your people Israel!” (Luke 2:29–32, New Living Translation)

Simeon held a helpless baby in His arms and saw hope. He would never live to see Jesus' life work as an adult. But he saw "a light to the nations."

Without knowing the details, Simeon also prophesied that Jesus would grow up to be crucified. It would be like a sword that would pierce Mary's soul. Every baby born is an affirmation of humanity's endurance. But it was when God became a helpless baby, when He chose to be helpless on a cross, that genuine hope--true forgiveness--was offered to us.

Father in heaven, we thank you for the children, grandchildren and even great grandchildren born in this last year. Most of all, we thank you for your Son becoming a totally helpless Baby. But for His life, death and resurrection we would still be helpless ourselves. 
In His name we hope; in His name we pray, Amen.