Now what…?
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 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord”), and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: “a pair of doves or two young pigeons.”
Luke 2:22-24 New International Version (NIV)
They didn’t offer a lamb because here in their arms was the true Lamb of God.
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. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 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, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: ‘Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.’ The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him.
Luke 2:25-33 (NIV)
Nunc Dimmittis “Now you may dismiss your servant in peace.”
“My eyes have seen your salvation.” Jesus or Joshua = “the Lord is Salvation”
There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she was eighty-four she never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.
Luke 2:36-38 (NIV)
Anna = “Hannah” “Favor” or “Grace”
“She never left the temple, but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying.”
“…gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.”
Surely the Sovereign Lord does nothing without revealing his plans to his servants the prophets.
Amos 3:7 (NIV)
How can we use this time of calm before 2026 rushes on to make sure we’re taking the wonder of Christ-with-us into every day to come?
What is your next faithful step after what God has revealed
to you this Christmas?
How is He calling you to enter 2026?