Prayer Thread - Meditation on the Presentation

Amazing how
such a small slip of a young woman,
glowing with the happiness
of being a joyful new mother
could contain in her arms
God
a baby nestled in swaddlings,
being presented to his true Father.

Amazing gift
from she who said yes,
giving us
over and over
the Son of her heart,
Asking each of us
to do whatever he tells us.

And when the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, "Every male that opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord") and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the law of the Lord, "a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons."

Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. And inspired by the Spirit he came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the law, he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said,

"Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word; for mine eyes have seen thy salvation which thou hast prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to thy people Israel."

And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him; and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, "Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is spoken against (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that thoughts out of many hearts may be revealed."

And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phan'u-el, of the tribe of Asher; she was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years from her virginity, and as a widow till she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. And coming up at that very hour she gave thanks to God, and spoke of him to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.

And when they had performed everything according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth. And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.

Luke 2: 22-40

All For Love

Therefore, he had to become like his brothers in every way, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest before God to expiate the sins of the people. Because he himself was tested through what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested. Hebrews 2:17,18

Amazing to think, my Lord,
that you did what you did,
all for love,
to leave the heavenly realms
and empty yourself
to become a child,
and grow into an adult,
gracing this poor, sin-touched world
with the radiance of your presence.

Amazing to think, my Lord,
of how you underwent life's
myriad, minor indignities,
to experience firsthand
how it felt to be human
the creator experiencing
all the nuances of his creation.

Amazing to think, my Lord,
of how you gave yourself in sacrifice,
undergoing life's horrendous consequences
at the hands of sin,
not for any wrong of your own,
but for our wrongs,
because of love for us,
the creator giving all this
to rescue his creation.

Amazing to think, my Lord,
of how now in the heavenly realm,
there is one who knows
not only the ways of the creator
but who is intimate with the reality
of the created,
to be our sacrifice,
our king,
our high priest,
who opened the door to lead us home,
patiently holding our hands,
calling our name,
all for love.

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