When you look at someone older that you don’t know very well, you might see an older woman or man: someone whose hair – if it’s there at all now – has gone grey: someone whose back is stooped and whose step is faltering. You might see someone who looks like they have said all that they were going to say, and done everything important they were going to do. And is, well … past it.
But from the outside, you won’t see the truth: a story of what they have struggled or rejoiced with, in their years: the things which have been hard, and painful for them to go through: that have taken a long time and great effort: or the moments when they have laughed and been completely care-free, surprised and overwhelmed by joy.
And from the outside, you won’t see a series of other truths: a network of all the lives of other people that they have built up and strengthened: the friends and family and children who have been encouraged to flourish and grow because someone older has paid them attention, nurtured their sense of self, and offered them unconditional love. Someone has gone that, who still has much to offer.
A true community is one where people of many different ages can be together: where the older are valued, and where they value the young.
A true community is one where people of many different ages can be together: where the older are valued, and where they value the young. Where, from within it, you can that see something positive is going on. Something that defies outside appearances and standards. Where deceptions pass away because we are learning to see the reality that is behind them, which is the way that God sees us.
Simeon was a good man, God-fearing and waiting for God’s salvation to come to his people. He sometimes is spoken of as an older man, because Luke’s gospel says that he was waiting to see the Messiah before he passed away.
Anna was a widow, and she spent every day in the temple in prayer. Luke’s gospel says that she was ‘very old’ – though there are some pretty dynamic and youthful 84 year olds in this church – Luke’s gospel says that she was ‘very old’, and had lived in this way for years.
When Jesus was brought by Joseph and Mary to the temple, Simeon gathered up the tiny baby in his arms and spoke of him with hope and thanksgiving. When Anna arrived at the temple, she spoke of him as a sign of freedom and release for those in fear. These older figures – perhaps not deeply valued by their appearances – both showed a deeper reality of passion and joy when they spoke of Jesus. They both gave a wonderful gift to many when they offered the child their hopes for a brighter future.
Jesus was a light: a light of revelation and a light which brings glory.
In Simeon’s words in Luke’s gospel, we hear Jesus called a light: a light of revelation and a light which brings glory.
One of the reasons the gospels talk of Jesus as the light is that, in his presence truths deeper than surface appearances become visible, to us. By his way of living, among us, the realities that are underneath what we can see are made clear to us. And if our way of living comes to be a bit like a reflection of his light, then our understanding can begin being transformed so that this power can shine, a little, through us also.
This is the glory of a community that gathers in a circle around Jesus. For around Jesus, who at the heart of our church community, we gather in all our differences – and age is just one of these – to become fully alive and to be recognised by each other as such. And to recognise that a life who is the light of the world allows us to see each other in this way.
The very oldest saw, and their insight helps us all to see now, that the very youngest and most vulnerable has come among us as a sign of hope for all nations.
Christingles have been used to raise funds for the work of Children’s Society for many years: to provide support and protection to the youngest and most vulnerable members of society by a diverse group of elders.
To help us to recall the importance of gathering together around Christ’s light, and the vital work of the Children’s Society, we’re going to share the opportunity to make our own Christingles now. I want to encourage you to do this alongside someone you don’t know or who looks a bit different from you, as well, so that we are really gathering together – gathering in all our differences of appearance – in messy worship of our one Lord.
And afterwards, when we offer our gifts to God in preparation for the Eucharist, there will be a collection for the work of the Children’s Society.