Grace and peace to you from the Holy Trinity; parent, child, and the holy Spirit. Tonight we celebrate New Years Eve.

Rejoicing for the year that we’ve had and expectant for the year to come.

Peace across generations from baby Jesus to Simeon and Anna, we are blessed.

Jesus, Mary and Joseph; three people in a unique family bond. A bond alive with the love of the Holy Spirit.

Luke’s gospel reading today begins with a time for purification. According to the Law of Moses documented in the book of Leviticus. Jesus, Mary and Joseph travel to the Temple in Jerusalem.

That would be like traveling to Duluth, on foot, and uphill the whole way.

They also know that their firstborn male, Jesus, ‘shall be designated as holy to the Lord.”

Once they arrive they are expected to offer a sacrifice.

A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.

Their sacrifice allows even the poorest to fulfill the law.

God is with them; even though they are strangers, in a huge city, with little to no money.

What looks like little by our standards, God turns upside down in the precious gift of Jesus that they offer.

I know that feeling of being an outsider.

Remember that first day of school, starting a new job, or meeting potential inlaws?

The cloud of thoughts racing through your head.

What to say, what to wear, or what if no one likes me?

All of those fears create a storm of anxiety in your stomach.

Perhaps you start to question what you are doing and why?

Grace enters your anxiety with a friendly welcome or smile.

A little light shines your way to recognize you and offer acceptance.

That is the gift of love that shines light as a blessing we can share with each other.

Joseph and Mary follow their hearts to the Temple, probably feeling alone and scared.

God also had some unexpected people for them to meet.

Perhaps like you and I, just when we think we are finished with a project or have reached retirement; God reveals another part of the plan.

Have you ever asked for a gift that you thought was too much to ask for? You know, something you’ve been waiting your whole life for? Maybe even someone has been waiting for you?

Enter Simeon, ‘this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him.”

This is the person that you want to meet. But without knowing anyone how could you possibly identify him, let alone know where to look.

“It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah.”

God comes looking for us and finds us through Jesus.

When I was growing up I was fortunate to know the grandfather’s on both sides of the family.

On my father’s side of the family was my grandfather Joseph, known as Sep. to grown ups.

I know that his father died when he was quite young, but he never mentioned that.

My memories of him are sparse, but I knew him more when he was dying.

Prior to that he often was a little sarcastic and his humor wasn’t for children. I always got the impression that he was angry about something, life?

My memory of him was his reflection on life that, “God is keeping me alive so long to punish me.”

Not very joyous, and perhaps he was right that God was trying to get him to a place of joy.

My grandfather on my mother’s side was perhaps the opposite, but he too lost his father at a young age.

His name was William, but he went by ‘Sunny”, because of his outlook on life. He truly was one of those that if you gave him lemons he would make lemonade.

I was honored to get to know him through many conversations at their lake home.

We would talk about the world and our family.

He would also ask me what was important to me.

I never felt like I didn’t know what to say, more importantly I felt he really was listening.

Life was a gift that had many surprises, but family and God were always there for me.

Rather than bitterness, was beauty. I think that’s what our relationship with Jesus does.

An appreciation for what my Grandfather “Sunny” knew but also wanted me to learn for myself.

It was only last week that I thought about them both, as I watched my own father with all of the grandchildren at Christmas.

I began to realize that eventually you start to think if this our last Christmas together?

Like a loving grandparent,Simeon went immediately to Jesus, took him in his arms and rejoiced.

Simeon recognized Jesus not only for who he was, but what he meant for our salvation.

A light of revelation for all people, this is what you’ve been waiting for your whole life.

Imagine the feeling of a proud grandparent with their family.

Like meeting a person for the first time, and feeling you have known them forever.

With a blessing and a warning Simeon gives way to Anna.

Another great woman of the world.

Rejoice for Anna, who was married around age 13, for only seven years, then widowed for the next 60 plus years.

Anna sustained herself with fasting and prayer, never leaving the temple area.

Anna began to praise God and speak about Jesus, “To all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.”

Simeon and Anna are like the grandparents of grandparents. Two people chosen by God for a special relationship with the world. God works through people in a way that is full of awe and wonder.

God welcomes us all, as adopted children into a kinship that shares the Holy Spirit.

We share this blessing with Mary, Joseph and Jesus.

A blessing that rejoices and sings praise to the Lord.

A feeling of fullness that everything is going to be okay.

Jesus walks with us, talks with us and has died for us so that we might live. Rejoice for the gift of Jesus, for love upon love, as a family of God. The blessing of Jesus brings peace across generations.

The favor of God was upon Jesus and now on all of us.

For this we can joyfully say, “Thanks be to God.” Amen