We're turning to Luke chapter 2 and the reason we pass out paper Bibles is

Jesus was a person of the scriptures and his followers after him follow in this core practice of reading the scriptures.

So hopefully you have a Bible by now.

If one of these is being brought to you and you don't have a Bible at home

take this as our gift and take it home and read it we believe it will change your life

and then would you stand with me now with the open there to Luke chapter two. Now Advent ends in celebration

but begins and waiting. So we're going to stand still in unbroken silence for a full minute

identifying with the plight of the prophets remembering the redemption that we still await

The redemption our world still awaits and we remember the God who promises to one day bring heaven to earth completely

Then the silence will be broken by the reading of scripture.

Word breaking silence among us just as the living word broke the long silence

with the birth of Jesus. But now we wait. I'm going to Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout.

He was waiting for the constellation of Israel and the Holy Spirit was on him. It had been revealed to him

by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Messiah.

Moved by the Spirit he went into the temple courts

when the parents brought in the child Jesus

to do for him what the custom of the law required.

Semyon took him in his arms and praised God saying sovereign Lord as you have

promised you may now dismiss your servant in peace for my eyes have seen your

salvation which you have prepared in the sight of all nations

a light for revelation to the Gentiles and the glory of your people Israel. This is the word of the Lord.

Thanks to God.

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