We have

a future because we have a past! That statement can be applied to the Church in so many different ways. Churches that jettison their past often wander listlessly into the future because they have no connection to where they came from. They just move 'forward' without any sense of direction. Putting your car in "D" will not get you where you want to go. A steering wheel, gas and brake pedals, and a functioning brain will get you where you want to go.

I've been listening this morning to an interview from Feb. 2nd about the purification of Mary and the presentation of our Lord. The interview was on Issues, Etc. (www.issuesetc.org) and the guest was the Rev. Dr. Art Just. It was absolutely wonderful to hear some cogent discussion about a feast day in the Church that sometimes gets short shrift.

Dr. Just made the comment that within Luke 2, the presentation of Jesus in the Temple is the greatest part. That may be somewhat scandalous considering that the Christmas story is in Luke 2 and the circumcision of Jesus is in Luke 2. Yet with the parents of Jesus bringin the baby to the Temple, all was brought to fulfillment. Feb. 2nd is the fortieth day after Christmas, and Mary, according to the Hebrew law, was able to be declared clean from her childbirth. So they went to the temple to offer their sacrifice. But the 40th day after Christmas is also the
70th week after the conception of John the Baptist. With the entrance of the great forerunner of Christ into the world, the salvation story of God was shifting into high gear. And now all is fulfilled as the Christ is brought to His temple. Mary and Joseph offered their two turtledoves as the sacrifice. But the world's sacrifice was there also with them.

Please listen to that segment and hear the good news of God so clearly and articulately expressed.

The feast of the purification of Mary and the presentation of our Lord is something that gets a little note on our calendar. We move on so quickly from it. Too many times I regard it, and other feasts, simply as the past, as something that is not entirely relevant for our modern context. What a shame.

In this feast, we celebrate the past for it sheds light on our future. God has sent His Son into this world for our sake.

In His Temple now behold Him, See the long-expected Lord;
Ancient prophets had foretold Him, God has now fulfilled His word.
Now to praise Him, His redeemed Shall break forth with one accord.

Jesus, by Your presentation, When they blessed You, weak and poor.
Make us see Your gereat salvation, Seal us with Your promise sure;
And present us in Your glory To Your Father, cleansed and pure.
-Lutheran Service Book 519