“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

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DECEMBER 27, 2024

What does true fulfillment mean? How can we rejoice, or feel comfort and peace, when there is so much left to be done, so much still unresolved, so many problems raging, so many prayers pending, when the sin-struggle inside us is relentless?

To understand true fulfillment, we must dig deeper and humble ourselves before God just as Simeon and Anna did. In their devotion to God, the Spirit gifted them the ability to grasp fulfillment and joy in Jesus Christ.

I love this song by Michael Boggs, and I encourage us to reflect on these lyrics as we celebrate this season.

               “Come you unfaithful, Come all you unworthy

               Come you with nothing to offer Him

               Come you unrighteous, Come you undeserving

              

               Rejoice He came for you, Rejoice He came for you

               Rejoice He came for you, Christ the Lord

 

               Come all you anxious, Waiting and wanting

               Come if your burdens are all you can bring

               Weary from silence, And questions without answers

 

               Rejoice He came for you, Rejoice He came for you

               Rejoice He came for you, Christ the Lord Is for the broken

               His strength is for the weak, His grace is for the sinner

               Who hopes in lesser things, His arms are for the lowly

               His blood is for the lost, His mercy’s ever-reaching

               His love is for us all

 

               Come all you prideful, Boasting in your power

               Come if you’re trusting in the strength you bring

               Come self-sufficient, And you with all the answers

 

               Rejoice He came for you, Rejoice He came for you

               Rejoice He came for you, Christ the Lord”

             Come You Unfaithful by Michael Boggs

 

Questions for reflection and discussion:

  • What does Jesus’ birth mean to you?
  • What are you longing for?

 

Church Reading Plan:

  • Today, December 27: Zechariah 14; John 17
  • Saturday, December 28: Malachi 1; John 18
  • Sunday, December 29: Malachi 2; John 19