“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 .”23
25 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. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27 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, 28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: 9 “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. 30 For my eyes have seen your salvation, 31 which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.” Luke 2:23,25-32 NIV
Father God,
Forty days after Jesus was born he was taken to Jerusalem as was the Jewish tradition. He was to be dedicated to You as their first born son according to the law. About a five mile walk as Bethlehem is close to the capital. In the calm before the wise men visited and they had to hot foot it to Egypt.
And coming into Your house they met Simeon who was moved by the Spirit to speak words of truth, encouragement and promise. He was blessed because He knew He had seen the fulfilment of Your promises. He had no problem accepting that You would come as one of us and as a vulnerable baby. He simply believed.
Help us believe. To put our doubts in Your care. Simon held Jesus in his arms, how amazing. Help us to invite You into our lives and show You to others through our hands, our hearts and our mouths by Your Spirit. As we step into another year, help us to speak truth, encouragement and words of promise to those who need to hear. Simeon was blessed, but so are we, beyond human comprehension. Thank You for last year and the new one to come.
n Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Father God,
For our family, friends, neighbours, and those we promised to pray for.
For our Christian family. Christmas services and meals planned.
For our king and His family and all those in authority (1 Timothy 2:2).
For our Government to make wise decisions for good not just profit.
For Ukraine and Russia. A miraculous end to war.
For Sudan freedom from dictatorship of any kind. Middle East peace.
For Your church around the world to hear and know Your guidance and correction.
For Your compassion on those caught up in trouble not of their own making..
For us to let go of last year and step into the new one as You taught us – one day at a time with You.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Tuesday 31st December 2024
Now thank we all our God
with heart and hands and voices,
who wondrous things has done,
in whom his world rejoices;
who from our mothers’ arms
has blessed us on our way
with countless gifts of love,
and still is ours today.
O may this bounteous God
through all our life be near us,
with ever joyful hearts
and blessed peace to cheer us,
and keep us still in grace,
and guide us when perplexed,
and free us from all ills
in this world in the next.
All praise and thanks to God
the Father now be given,
the Son and Him who reigns
who them in highest heaven
the one eternal God,
whom heaven and earth adore;
for thus it was, is now,
and shall be evermore.
Lyrics: Martin Rinkart
Translation: Catherine Winkworth