Text:    Luke 2:21-35

Sermon in a prayer:  If you are not watching, you will miss what God is doing          around you! 

Three characteristics we must have if we are not going to miss what God is doing around us—

I.       Our faith must impact our daily lives—verses 21-24.

• Ceremony of circumcision—Leviticus 12:3.

• Ritual of purification from childbirth—Leviticus 12:4-8.

• Redemption of the firstborn—Numbers 18:15-16.

II.      The Holy Spirit must direct our choices—verses 25-27a.

III.     Our hearts and minds must engage God's work in us and in our world—

         verses 27b-35.