While I usually think of the new year every time January comes to mind, every once in a while I remember that January 6th is Epiphany, the celebration of the last of the twelve days of Christmas. I guess it is only fitting that Christmas really lasts into the new year, since it really does for most of us, at least here in Green Bay. When I was a kid we took our Christmas decorations down on January 1st, but that really makes them last into any new year, doesn’t it? But now, we don’t have a tradition for taking them down, but it’s definitely well after New Year’s Day.
Epiphany is traditionally recognized as the date of the visit of the Magi and the date of the baptism of Jesus 30 years later. Also called the Feast of the Presentation, it bring to my mind the presentation of Jesus at the Temple just a few days earlier, the day when Simeon and Anna saw the Messiah and responded to the promises they had been given by God years earlier.
Simeon’s response was prophetic and peaceful. By that I mean this: Simeon prophesied heartache to the mother of the Child, “‘This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too,’” (Luke 2.34-35.) That doesn’t sound very peaceful, and it wasn’t—it was realistic: Jesus would cause tremendous problems for those who wanted a present and earthly kingdom rather than a spiritual and heavenly one, and they would eventually kill Him, which would break his mother’s heart. So how was it peaceful? Because Simeon had seen Jesus, had seen the fulfillment of God’s promise to himself, he could depart in peace, he could go to his grave in faith fulfilled.
Anna, on the other hand, “gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.” Anna worshipped God for His deliverance of His people and gladly evangelized, wanting all to know what-rather Who—she knew.
It was a new day in Jerusalem, a new day in Israel, a new day in the world-at-large, and a new day for all history: the Messiah had come and two people had borne witness of such. It is a new year in Green Bay and we have celebrated the coming of the messiah—the Christ. We will do well to remember that we, like Simeon and Anna, have jobs yet to do while we are on this planet. There are those around us who are ignorant of the Baby who was born just a little while ago, the things He will do that will cause great pain and turmoil if they are not properly focused in faith on His Kingdom, and the peace and joy that can be theirs if they see their faith fulfilled in Him. So enjoy your peace in Christ, but proclaim, give thanks, worship, and evangelize. You think about that. Happy New Year.

– Pastor Jim