On New Year’s Day, I perused my email and was overwhelmed with gloom and doom both from a (Christian) news summary and a newsletter from someone in ministry. I’m not often overwhelmed with anything, but I felt fear, apprehension… Suddenly I stopped and said to myself, “This is no way to start a day or a new year! Get back to your reading of the Christmas story.”

So I read Luke 2.22 – 38, the account of Jesus being taken by Mary and Joseph to the Temple for the mandatory purification ceremony, where they heard the testimonies of Simeon and Anna. 

[Simeon said, ] “My eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel…Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.” (Luke 2.30 – 35, ESV)

And make no mistake, if there had been a “News of the Day” publication in Jerusalem or even a “Temple Tidbits” summary of the day’s activities, Mary, Joseph, and Jesus’ visit wouldn’t have made it. The purification was completely routine, something the priest on duty would have done hundreds of times while thinking of something else. The powers that be wouldn’t have noticed Simeon or “Crazy Old Anna.” We know about it because Luke in his thoroughness documented it.

The point I’m making to myself is that no matter how gloomy things look, God is at work, most likely under the radar. I need to be listening for his voice, watching for him at work, and participating with my own under-the-radar holy moments.

Do not call conspiracy everything this people calls a conspiracy; do not fear what they fear, and do not dread it. The LORD Almighty is the one you are to regard as holy, he is the one you are to fear, he is the one you are to dread. (Isaiah 8.12, 13, NIV)

But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir. (Galatians 4.4 – 7, NIV)