A Baby Dedication

Luke 2:21-40

“And when the days for their purification, according to the law of Moses, were completed, they brought Him up to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord. As it is written in the Law of the Lord, ‘Every first-born male that opens the womb shall be called Holy to the Lord’, and to offer a sacrifice according to what was said in the Law of the Lord, ‘A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.’” Exodus 13:12 and Leviticus 12:8 

Mary and Joseph, being righteous and endeavoring to obey the Law, traveled five and half miles from Bethlehem to Jerusalem to give an offering for Mary’s purification after childbirth and to dedicate their firstborn son to the Lord. 

These temple baby dedications were sometimes performed by priests and sometimes by devout men of God who served in the Temple.  Simeon was one of those devout men. He knew the scriptures and was “waiting for the Consolation of Israel.” The “Consolation of Israel” referred to the promised Messiah who would bring comfort, salvation and redemption to the suffering people of Israel. But more importantly, the Holy Spirit was upon Simeon. The Spirit of God had revealed to him that he would not see death until he had seen the Lord’s Christ. What a revelation! 

On this day, directed by the Holy Spirit, Simeon went to the Temple. Mary and Joseph were there to carry out the custom of the Law. It was no coincidence that they were there on the same day. When Simeon took the child in his arms to bless Him and consecrate Him to God, he knew immediately who this child really was.  How many other babies had Simeon held that week to perform the same custom of the Law? How many other parents had stood before him, performed their obligation, and went home?  But this Child.....this Child was different. 

When I was eight years old, my youngest brother was born.  I didn’t want a brother – I already had one of those.  I wanted a sister.  But things changed when my Mom put my baby brother in my arms. I can still remember the way he felt and my heart was changed.  Those “sister” dreams disappeared and my heart was stolen by this bundle of warmth and blonde hair. 

Simeon began to bless God as he held the Christ Child. The promise God made him had been realized.  “Now, Lord, let your servant depart in peace, according to your Word, for my eyes have seen Thy Salvation, which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a Light of Revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.” 

Simeon continues to speak some words over Mary that would be difficult for a mother to hear. “This Child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel, a sign to be opposed – and a sword will pierce even your own soul.  Another thing for Mary to ponder in her heart. 

Luke 2:33 says Mary and Joseph were amazed at the things they were hearing.  They had been amazed by angel visits and messages.  They would have been amazed by shepherds showing up the night of the birth of Jesus. “How did they know where to find us. Who told them this would be the Savior of the world? We thought we were keeping this a secret!” The same one who told the shepherds, told Simeon.  Yes, angels were involved and bright lights, but it was God who revealed the Savior to His servants. Anna, a prophetess who spent her life serving in the Temple, came up to Simeon as he blessed the Christ Child, and she also began to give thanks and speak of Him. What a glorious day in the Temple! 

In 1982, Gloria Gaither wrote the lyrics to a song called “Ordinary Baby." It goes like this:

"He was just an ordinary baby. That's the way He planned it....maybe.

Anything but common would have kept Him apart 

From the children that He came to rescue, limited to some elite few,

When He was the only child who asked to be born."

And He came to us with eyes wide open, knowing how we're hurt and broken,

Choosing to partake of all our joy and pain. 

He was just an ordinary baby.  That's the way He planned it....maybe.  

So that we would come to Him and not be afraid."                                                                                                                                              

God revealed His plan to Mary and Joseph and told them not to be afraid.  The Angel told the shepherds the same thing...don’t be afraid. Simeon received a promise from the Holy Spirit.  God still reveals His plan to us also through the Word and the Holy Spirit. They followed the law, fulfilled their obligations, did what the angel told them, but in the end, it would be this Child who would save them.  Come to Him – don't be afraid. 

Jo