Church (Take Me Back)

Published December 28, 2025

Painting by Kelly Latimore, La presentación de Cristo en el templo (2018).

I imagine Mary and Joseph, still pondering and treasuring the events surrounding their first child’s birth, were filled with a plethora of emotions as they journeyed together to the Temple to carry out the rituals of the Law. For those parents who have presented their child(ren) for baptism, you may relate. As the father of three, several colleagues continually remind me, God created and ordained the family before God created the church. For me, and especially during this holy season, these words of wisdom remind me of my first calling: to do my part to raise children that grow strong in body, wise in spirit, and may come to know, accept, and grow in the grace of God that is upon them (Luke 2:39-40). Whether parent, grandparent, neighbor, church member or prophet/pastor, this text provides fertile ground for contemplative thinking and action-oriented living as it relates to our responsibilities in nurturing the growth of our children and helping them one day profess Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.  

My wife and I recently decided to unplug the televisions in our home and limit device time, for a variety of reasons, including our desire to better strengthen mind, body and spirit of our children. We thought this experiment would unravel within 24 hours, but as of the time of this writing, we are at a week and counting. Speaking for me, in nurturing this new lifestyle, I have had to make intentional decisions to engage my children in more random fun activities. For example, moments of work are now interspersed with dance breaks. I will say, “Alexa, set a timer for 5 minutes”, and then my daughter, Julia, says, “Alexa, play (insert favorite her song at the time)”, and we randomly dance together. Of course, my twin boys, William and James, join the party and 5 minutes turns into an extended mini party with lots of laughter and exhaustion. Soon, they are once again creatively pretending with each other until the next activity, bath time, or family prayer time, I’m back to work, and a joyful peace is in the air.  

I know that the television can’t stay unplugged forever, but my prayerful hope is that, like Mary, Joseph and Jesus, when they returned to Galilee and their own town, Nazareth, that when Joyce, Julia, William, James and I return to a new normal, both parent and children can continue to grow strong in body and wise in spirit by the grace of God. With Christ, all things are possible! I invite you to consider these questions: What are the vices that are keeping you from fully engaging with the children in your world? What prevents you from taking (grand)children (neighbor’s children) to church to receive a blessing? It’s not yet lent, but heading into 2026, what can you resolve to do differently or to give up in order to help the hearts of children become opened to the love of Jesus Christ?

Reflect on the Word

25-32 In Jerusalem at the time, there was a man, Simeon by name, a good man, a man who lived in the prayerful expectancy of help for Israel. And the Holy Spirit was on him. The Holy Spirit had shown him that he would see the Messiah of God before he died. Led by the Spirit, he entered the Temple. As the parents of the child Jesus brought him in to carry out the rituals of the Law, Simeon took him into his arms and blessed God: 

God, you can now release your servant; release me in peace as you promised.  With my own eyes I’ve seen your salvation; it’s now out in the open for everyone to see:  A God-revealing light to the non-Jewish nations, and of glory for your people Israel. 

33-35 Jesus’ father and mother were speechless with surprise at these words. Simeon went on to bless them, and said to Mary his mother, 

This child marks both the failure and the recovery of many in Israel, a figure misunderstood and contradicted—the pain of a sword-thrust through you—But the rejection will force honesty, as God reveals who they really are.

39-40 When they finished everything required by God in the Law, they returned to Galilee and their own town, Nazareth. There the child grew strong in body and wise in spirit. And the grace of God was on him.

Luke 2:25 - 35, 39-40 (The Message)

Swanson, John August. Presentation in the Temple, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. [retrieved December 26, 2025]. Original source: Estate of John August Swanson, https://www.johnaugustswanson.com/.

Above, Mary and Joseph take the child Jesus to the temple with the offering of two doves. This was the offering of the poorest. It was a symbol of thanksgiving for their firstborn. At the entrance they meet Simeon and Anna who are both old and waiting and praying in the temple. They both approach the family and honor the newborn Jesus.  In this scene are the gates, courtyard, steps, temple entrance, and the dome. It is night--people are carrying their offerings of candles and doves. The walls have intricate carvings of narrative scenes. Angels open and guide the pathways and entrances. In each of the towers, windows are lite to show the scholars working, reading, and copying the scrolls. Mary and Joseph stand amazed at the two elders Anna and Simeon as they take the baby in their arms. The city with its turrets and towers is in the background of the temple and over the city is the star filled sky.  

JOHN AUGUST SWANSON makes his home in Los Angeles, California, where he was born in 1938. He paints in oil, watercolor, acrylic and mixed media, and is an independent printmaker of limited-edition serigraphs, lithographs and etchings.  

Take a Moment to Pray

Creative God, we thank you for the countless opportunities we have each day to live fully and joyfully. Help us to not lose the spirit of Christmas but instead celebrate each day of your presence with us. Amen.

Listen to the Carol

Church (Take Me Back) is written by Bryan Fowler / Michael Cochrane / Micah Kuiper and performed by Cochren and Company.