Christmas Advent Devotional Day 30 : Responding to His Coming

 

In the previous verses, to fulfill the requirements of the Law, on the 8^th day Jesus was circumcised and He was presented at the temple with an offering. While at the temple, God causes 2 very special people to cross Jesus’ path- Simeon and Anna.

Luke 2:25-35 (NKJV) 

 ²⁵ And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. ²⁶ 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. ²⁷ So he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law, ²⁸ he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said:

²⁹ “Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace,

According to Your word;

³⁰ For my eyes have seen Your salvation

³¹ Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples,

³² A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles,

And the glory of Your people Israel.”

³³ And Joseph and His mother marveled at those things which were spoken of Him. ³⁴ Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against ³⁵ (yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”

 

Simeon, a devoted follower of God, had been spoken to as well.  The Lord had promised him that before he died, he would see the Lord’s Christ.  The Promised Messiah.  The Savior of the World.  Jesus did not just come to the masses, but He came to the individual as well.  To the devout- those looking for His coming, He appeared. Simeon was honored to not only behold His Savior, but to hold the Baby in his arms and bless Him.  His blessing was Spirit-infused, because He was prophesying about the Child’s future.  He acknowledged that Jesus would not only fill the long-awaited expectation of the Jews, but He would also reveal Himself to the Gentiles.  He would be Savior of ALL people. 

Simeon also spoke of the darker parts of Christ’s unfolding story.  He would bring salvation to all people, but He would also cause division.  He would be spoken against.  Persecuted and rejected.  His mother would have her soul pierced, as surely as Christ’s side would be pierced.  His body, on the cross, would be a sign spoken against…

The sacred hallowedness of Christ’s life would be juxtaposed against the dark, sinfulness of humanity.  His story would be marred with our sin.  But none of it would take God by surprise.

Next, a godly widow is blessed to behold her Redeemer:

Luke 2:36-38 (NKJV) 

 

³⁶ Now there was one, Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity; ³⁷ and this woman was a widow of about eighty-four years, who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. ³⁸ And coming in that instant she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem.

 

Anna’s life had not been an easy one. As a young woman she had married, only to be widowed after 7 years.  Nothing is said about children.  Instead, it appears that she devoted her life solely to seeking the face of God.  She lived at the temple, praying and fasting for about 60 years. (My guestimation.) Many of us will fast and seek God in the new year for 1- 21 days.  She had done so for upwards of 60 years!  (And yet we complain.)

God rewarded her steadfast devotion as both a prophetess and as a woman.  She was blessed to come in on Christ’s temple appearance soon after Simeon’s blessing.  Her experience resulted in thanksgiving to God- and a witness to man.  She spoke of Him to all those who were looking for Messiah.

Both of these ordinary people are included in the story of Christ’s early days.  What made them extraordinary was their devotion to God.  Jesus came not only to a holy man, but to a holy woman as well.  He came to shepherds and Wise Men.  He came to men and women.  He came to the Jew and the Gentile.  And he came for you and Me.

As the Advent (Coming) Devotional ends, we have the same opportunity that the shepherds, Wise Men, Simeon and Anna did.  Christ has surely come.  What will be your response to Him?

Oh Lord, we are so thankful that you came!  Help us to hold this truth close to our hearts every day, not just during the Christmas Season. Help us to be changed by this encounter with you.  Cleanse us and make us worthy to walk in your presence, every day of our lives and into all eternity. You, Light of the World, do indeed make everything Merry & Bright! Amen.