The Christmas Story- Part II

Luke 2:25-35

“And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Spirit was upon him.  And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.  And he came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to carry out for Him the custom of the Law, then he took Him into his arms and blessed God, and said, ‘Now, Lord, Thou dost let Thy bond-servant depart in peace according to Thy word; for my eyes have seen Thy salvation, which Thou hast prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light of revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Thy people Israel.   And His father and mother were amazed at the things which were being said about Him.  And Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, ‘Behold, this Child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and for a sign to be opposed- and a sword will pierce even your own soul- to the end that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”

An older man, Simeon.  

(We are never too old to serve the Lord; never too old to be filled with the Spirit)

He is righteous, devout, expectantly hopeful for the Messiah’s arrival. 

(Am I thus - awaiting Jesus’ return)?

He is ready to die; but not until a promise is fulfilled-a promise from God, no less.  

(Am I ready)?

The Holy Spirit was upon him.  The Holy Spirit had revealed to him that he would not see death until he had seen the Lord’s Christ.  The Holy Spirit led him into the temple on the 40^th day after Jesus’ birth. 

And Jesus was there!    I imagine the temple practically bursting with light.  But that temple, covered with gold, could not hold a candle to the Light of the World who was carried inside by his parents.  Oh, the glorious revelations to come!

Luke revels in the use of so many terms dealing with sight:

·         Behold, there was a man in Jerusalem

·         Looking for the consolation of Israel

·         Revealed to him by the Holy Spirit

·         Would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ

·         My eyes have seen Thy salvation

·         Which Thou hast prepared in the presence of all people

·         A light of revelation to the Gentiles

·         And the Glory of thy people Israel

·         Thoughts from many hearts may be revealed

Simeon introduces Jesus to the world:

The Consolation (The Hope)

The Lord’s Christ (The Saviour)

The Light (The One who Reveals)

The Glory(The Shekinah Glory.  The Glorious One)

This Child(The Word became flesh)

Let my tongue not be silent in light of your revelation: 

My Highest Hope.  My Saviour.  My Light.  My Glory. My God

Only possible because of the piercing sword to come.

The cross.

What a dramatic ending to a dramatic prophecy.

Getting ready for Christmas has taken on a much sweeter meaning this year, as I consider Simeon and his faithfulness to wait for God; to bless Joseph and Mary and yes, to bless me as I read his story; his story that became the next chapter in the Christmas Story.