Welcome to Christmas eve!!! Yeah, tomorrow is the day so many have been waiting for and excited about. That is why I challenge us to slow down looking unto Jesus, the reason for the season and Savior of the world.
We continue our journey looking at the players in the Christmas story. It is an incredible trip that has given me a lot to think about. We have looked at Mary, Joseph, the shepherds and the wise men. One last look has us taking a look at Simeon and Anna.
Incredible people that were both intent on watching for the coming of the Messiah. Much of the following verses teach us about watching what God is doing as well as keeping His heart centered in our lives. Read on:
Luke 2:25-38 NLT
At that time there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon. He was righteous and devout and was eagerly waiting for the Messiah to come and rescue Israel. The Holy Spirit was upon him 26 and had revealed to him that he would not die until he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27 That day the Spirit led him to the Temple. So when Mary and Joseph came to present the baby Jesus to the Lord as the law required, 28 Simeon was there. He took the child in his arms and praised God, saying, 29 “Sovereign Lord, now let your servant die in peace, as you have promised. 30 I have seen your salvation, 31 which you have prepared for all people. 32 He is a light to reveal God to the nations, and he is the glory of your people Israel!” … 36 Anna, a prophet, was also there in the Temple. She was the daughter of Phanuel from the tribe of Asher, and she was very old. Her husband died when they had been married only seven years. 37 Then she lived as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the Temple but stayed there day and night, worshiping God with fasting and prayer. 38 She came along just as Simeon was talking with Mary and Joseph, and she began praising God. She talked about the child to everyone who had been waiting expectantly for God to rescue Jerusalem…
Simeon and Anna were both righteous people who honored God and His word. They were excited about Jesus as you saw in this passage.
We need to learn to celebrate Jesus. I can only imagine the joy and even what the people around them heard and saw. Of the things they said there was truth, salvation, relief and so much more. The overflow of what they said really is worship.
May we be found worshipping as much as possible. In fact Christmas is a time of worship, a time of remembering, a time for expecting and a time for families, and church families, gathering to experience the joy Christmas.
… “Sovereign Lord, now let your servant die in peace, as you have promised.
… I have seen your salvation, which you have prepared for all people.
… He is a light to reveal God to the nations,
… he is the glory of your people Israel!”
… she began praising God.
… She talked about the child to everyone who had been waiting expectantly for
We are blessed. Christmas is a time to share that blessing with others. Christmas is a time to worship God and thank Him for the gift Jesus is as Savior, as peace, King and so much.
May God let us be somewhat like Simeon or Anna. May we expect God to show up. May we be found worshipping Him. May we be so excited about all God has done.
From my family and The Community Fellowship, have a very Merry Christmas!
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