“WE THREE KINGS... "

CHRISTENSEN, James

2003

http://www.artcountrycanada.com/christensen.htm

Gifts,

The Presentation, and

Naming of Jesus

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 firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord"), and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, "a pair of turtle-doves or two young pigeons."

Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Messiah. Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying,

"Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace,
according to your word;
for my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
a light for revelation to the Gentiles
and for glory to your people Israel."

And the child's father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, "This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed — and a sword will pierce your own soul too."

There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband for seven years after her marriage, then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshipped there with fasting and prayer night and day. At that moment she came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.

When they had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.

Luke 2:22-40

Presentation in the Temple (detail)

ANGELICO, Fra

1440-41

Fresco

Convento di San Marco

Florence, Italy

The only true gift, is a portion of yourself.

~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

And I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year:
"Give me a light, that I may tread safely into the unknown!"
And he replied:
"Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the Hand of God.
That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way."

~ Minnie Louise Haskins

LOTS of snow last week!

Mr. and Mrs. Snow by Eve of Evergreen

The Foreman, sculpture by Laura Mehmert, has a new hat!

Photo by Scott Robson, Executive Director of EPRD

What a difference a week makes!

Nancy, CV, Jackie

On Thursday, Nancy had our wonderful “make-up” luncheon that had to be cancelled last week because of the snow.

New Year’s Eve at Hanna’s

Hanna with the marzipan pig on beef tenderloin.

Robert and Jane

Hanna had the celebration at her home so it would be easier for Robert to attend.

Carolyn, Hanna, Anne

Robert is German and he enjoyed the real candle Hanna had on the tree for him.

For last year's words belong to last year's language
And next year's words await another voice.
~ T.S. Eliot

January 1, 2012 First Sunday after Christmas and Epiphany of the Lord—January 6

Previous OPQs may be found at:

http://www.dotjack.com/opq.htm

⁵Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, ⁶who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, ⁷but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, ⁸he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death— even death on a cross. ⁹Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, ¹⁰so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, ¹¹and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Philippians 2:5-11

Agnus Day, by James Wetzstein