FIRST SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS “God’s Own Child” December 29, 2024 10am

AS WE GATHER
How much time do we spend waiting? A study by the Timex corporation revealed that the average American spends thirty-eight hours annually waiting in traffic and thirteen hours each year on the telephone waiting for customer service. Waiting is not always easy, but certain kinds of waiting are truly worthwhile. The Gospel for the First Sunday after Christmas takes us to the temple in Jerusalem, where Simeon, a “righteous and devout” man is “waiting for the consolation of Israel” (Luke 2:25). And his wait is more than worthwhile. He gets to hold the infant Christ Child and to express his thanks firsthand for the salvation that Jesus will accomplish. The waiting for Simeon was over. God knew the exact right time for His beloved Son to come to earth into this sin-filled world. God had a plan for salvation that was carried out faithfully and completely by Jesus. As we worship, we echo the words of Simeon, thankful that our waiting for Immanuel is over and that we are assured of the salvation brought by Jesus, the one for whom Simeon was waiting so patiently.