The child grew and became strong filled with wisdom; and the favour of God was upon Him (Luke 2:40). - NRSV

According to the Law of Moses the first born, in particular the boy child should be consecrated to the Lord. The first born is fathers might and the first foot of his vigor (Gen. 49:3, Deu.21:17). The tenth plague God sent to Egypt was the destruction of the firstborn. In this destruction only the firstborn of Israelites were protected. In this remembrance, all the firstborn males shall be designated as holy to the Lord (Ex.13:15, 22:29, 34:20,19, Num-3:12,13,41,42,46, 8:17,18, 18:15; Luk-2:23). In the relationship of covenant, the firstborn is the substitute for all other descendents. The people of Israel who were considered to be the firstborn for God are the national representatives of the church and priesthood kingdom (Ex-4:22, 23; 19:6). The firstborn should be offered to the Lord, when he is one month of age (Num-18:16). This is a practice according to ceremonial offering given to the Lord when the season of Sanctification fulfills for the mother. Thus, the parents of Jesus also went to the temple to surrender their child to the Lord. Simeon who was a righteous devotee, guided by the Holy Spirit and was looking forward to the consolation of Israel - like a Sanyasi, who took Jesus in his hand and blessed the Lord. Hannah the prophetess also joined with him in praising the Lord (Luke 2:25-38). Even though Jesus was the son of God, His worldly parents were ready to surrender their child, the greatest gift they could ever receive from God back to the Lord. Thus, Jesus grew up as a consecrated child of God. Luke testified in this way; "Jesus increased in wisdom in years, and in divine and human favour" (Luke 2:52). When Jesus was surrendered to God "the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favour of God was upon Him" (Luke 2:40). Let us surrender our lives, our family, our children and all our talents for the glory of God. In this sermon an attempt has been made to ponder over the story of Samuel, the meaning of worship and the blessings on surrendering to God.

1. Samuel is presented (1Sam-1:19-28)

Samuel was a blessing for Hannah and Elkanah after a long waiting of their married life. Hannah cried to the Lord. Her prayer is very famous for most of those who know, read the Bible. But Hannah gave back her blessing - Samuel - to God (1Sam-1:19- 28). This passage reminds us to give everything of our blessings into God's hands. This incident also reminds us of Jesus as our Lord. God expects a complete surrender of human life into His hands.

2. Total surrender: Worship (Rom-11:33-12:2)

Presenting our bodies as the living sacrifices, being holy and acceptable to God is our spiritual worship. When we work according to His will, we are surrendering before God. We can present the members of our body as slaves to righteousness for sanctification just as ones we presented the members as slaves to impurity and to greater iniquity (Rom-6:19). Presenting to God to do God's will is the expression of rational worship not merely praising and thanking Him by our mouth. 'Presenting body' means doing the work - that is the real worship.

3. The blessing of surrender (Luke 2:22-40)

As mentioned earlier, Luke notes about the presented Jesus in this way: the child grew up and became strong filled with wisdom; on the favour of God was upon Him (Luke 2:40). A holistic growth is vividly seen here. He grew up physically, he grew up mentally and he grew up spiritually. Further Luke says that Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature, and in divine and human favour - a holistic growth or development - physical, mental, spiritual and social. When we surrender to God fully we also receive a complete and holistic blessing. In the present scenario of our society, it is essential to trust in God and live as if we give a complete surrender to Him. It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in mortals, it is better to trust in the Lord than to put trust in princess (Ps. 118:8,9). The Psalmist further adds on to say that "this is the Lord's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes" (Ps. 118:21). A person who presents his life completely to the Lord may live everyday by singing: "this is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it" (Ps. 118:24). We can also expect a holistic development and growth in different areas of our lives.

Prayer

Merciful God, Who has opened a gate for us to enter into Your presence and give thanks. We pray that You accept us as we present ourselves as Your incarnate Son, who as a child was presented to You in the temple was received with joy by Simeon and Anna, as the Redeemer of all creation, In order that our bodies would become a living sacrifice and spiritual worship, holy and acceptable to You, living always in Your presence. Through Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever more. Amen.

Humor

• Peter a seven year old boy was given five rupee coin for offering in the church. He requested his mother for one more coin for getting a chocolate. She did so. But while going to the church he was playing with the coins. One coin suddenly fell down and off rolling towards the drainage canal. Peter cried to God "God your money is getting away; please catch it if you need".

• Somebody phoned up to the fire force by seeing a building was burning. People saw that the fire force Truck came crashing towards the building and made a halt. The officers took charge, got down and started putting off the fire. The local people were astonished at the courage of the truck driver. The Panchayat President and the Press reporters applauded his bravery. As a token of appreciation they wanted to give him a purse to the driver. The Press reporters asked him, "what will you do with this money"? He said, "I will go on to replace a new brake for this good old truck".....!