Happy Epiphany!
Reflections: On Sunday February 2, 2020, we shall celebrate the Purification of the Virgin Mary and Presentation of Jesus. After giving birth to children, Jewish women would have to undergo ritual purification by ritual bathing in the Temple in Jerusalem, but the Purification of the Virgin Mary is actually kind of ironic. It is ironic, because Mary was a virgin, when she gave birth to Jesus. Let me be totally frank with you: Mary did not sex in order to be the Mother of Jesus! Sadly liberal "Christians" and liberal "theologians" sadly assert, that Joseph got Mary pregnant with Jesus, and they are blaspheming Jesus by promoting this heresy. Jesus had to be born of the Virgin Mary, because Jesus was a sinless Man and He had to fulfill the Old Testament Prophesies about Himself. So to fulfill Jewish Law, the Virgin Mary and her husband, St. Joseph the Guardian of Jesus, went to the Temple in Jerusalem, so she could be ritually purified and Jesus could be circumcised. They presented Jesus to Simeon and Anna and Simeon and Anna glorified Yahweh for Jesus the Messiah, Who is the only begotten Son of Yahweh and Who is equally God with the Father Yahweh. During the Mass, we chant Simeon's words in Luke 2:29-32 and these words are called the "Nunc Dimittis" aka the "Song of Simeon." Simeon uses the word "Gentile" to describe the Pagans. Simeon reminds us, that Jesus came to save both Jews and Pagans and all people in general. Jesus died on the True Cross to save every single person from death, Hell, Satan, Satan's demons, Original Sin from Adam and Eve, and their own personal sins. Jesus won Salvation for His people on the True Cross and He delivers that Salvation to His people in the waters of Holy Baptism.
Let us read Luke 2:21-39:
“21 And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the Child, His Name was called Jesus, Which was so named of the Angel, before He was conceived in the Womb.
22 And when the days of her purification according to the Law of Moses were accomplished, they brought Him to Jerusalem, to present Him to the LORD; 23 (As it is written in the Law of the LORD, ‘Every male, that openeth the womb, shall be called holy to the LORD;') 24 And to offer a sacrifice according to that, which is said in the Law of the LORD, ‘A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.’
25 And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. 26 And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the LORD’s Christ. 27 And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him after the custom of the Law, 28 Then took he Him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,
‘29 LORD, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace, according to Thy WORD: 30 For mine eyes have seen Thy Salvation, 31 Which Thou hast prepared before the face of all people; 32 A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the Glory of Thy people Israel.’
33 And Joseph and His Mother marvelled at those things, which were spoken of Him. 34 And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary His Mother, ‘Behold, this Child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against; 35 (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.’
36 And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity; 37 And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. 38 And she, coming in that instant, gave thanks likewise unto the LORD, and spake of Him to all them, that looked for Redemption in Jerusalem. 39 And when they had performed all things according to the Law of the LORD, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth. 40 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the Grace of God was upon Him” (KJV 1611).
February 2020 Book Signings:
1. I'll be having a book signing at the Eastgate Hallmark Store in Lima, Ohio on Saturday February 1, 2020 from 11 AM to 1 PM.
2. I'll be having a book signing at the Elm Street Hallmark Store in Lima, Ohio on Saturday February 8, 2020 from 11 AM to 1 PM.
March 2020 Book Signings:
1. I'll be having a book signing at the Jen's Furniture and Collectible in St. Marys, Ohio on Saturday March 7, 2020 from 11 AM to 3 PM.
2. I'll be having a book signing at the 2020 Waynesfield Winterfest held at Waynesfield-Goshen High School in Waynesfield, Ohio on Saturday March 14, 2020 from 9 AM to 3 PM.
April 2020 Book Signing(s):
1. I'll be having a book signing at the 2020 Arts Place Literature Festival held in Dicke Hall at Wright State Lake Campus in Celina, Ohio on Saturday April 18, 2020 from 9 AM to noon.
My Green Irish Angel Statues: My Green Irish Angel Statues are really cute! They are only $1 each and they make great gifts. I have three kinds: 1. Cross-Bearing Angels, 2. Praying Angels, and 3. Angels Holding Butterflies. I like the Cross-Bearing Angels the best, because they are carrying Crosses. Each one bearing a Cross reminds us, that Jesus died on the True Cross to save every single person from death, Hell, Satan, Satan's Demons, Original Sin from Adam and Eve, and their personal sins. They're available exclusively at Jen's Furniture and Collectibles (JFC) on the corner High Street and Chestnut Street in between Circle K Gas Station and Zion Lutheran Church (NALC) in St. Marys, Ohio.
Stores Carrying My Books: My books, which I’ve written and published, are also available at the following stores: Brunner News Agency on Flanders Avenue in Lima, Ohio, Jen’s Furniture and Collectibles (JFC) on High Street in St. Marys, Ohio, The Menagerie at 1178 Indiana Avenue in the St. Marys Business Complex in St. Marys, Ohio, Readmore Hallmark Stores out at Eastgate Plaza and on Elm Street in Lima, Ohio, Wagner’s IGA Grocery Store in Minster, Ohio, and in the Shop section of my website ohioirishlutheranpress.com .
Thank you and Happy Epiphany!
James W. O’Flannery, President and Founder of Ohio Irish Lutheran Press (OIL Press)