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“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”
--Luke 2:11
A department store put a Nativity scene in one of its display windows one Christmas. As a window-shopping couple walked by, the gentleman said to his wife, “Look there! The church is trying to take over Christmas now!”
Unfortunately, many people look at Christmas just that way. They like the lights, the presents, Santa Claus, and family time, but they don’t know the true meaning and reality of Christmas. They completely miss the reason for the season … Jesus Christ!
I wonder what would happen in our hearts, our families, and our lives if each and every one of us decided today that this Christmas was going to be fully dedicated to the Lord. Yes, we can have lights, presents, and Santa. But what if we made things different by focusing our families and friends on the reality of Jesus Christ?
You can make the decision to make that happen right now. Begin by simply reading the Christmas story with your family and praying with one another. When you let Christ take over Christmas, you’ll take the first step toward surrendering your entire life to Him.
What Simeon Saw in Jesus
Thursday, December 12, 2019
by Dr. Paul Chappell
“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, Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.”
Luke 2:27–32
Jesus was just a baby when Mary and Joseph took Him to the Temple to dedicate Him according to the law. They went with the offering as Moses had instructed the people so long before. While they were there, they met a very old man named Simeon, who had received a special message from the Lord that he would live until the Messiah appeared. When he saw the baby Jesus, Simeon saw far more than just another young Jewish baby—he saw the Saviour.
There is a great temptation for us to look at Jesus as our society often portrays Him at Christmas, as just a baby. But He was never just a baby. Though He was fully and completely human, Jesus was also God from birth. Simeon recognized that He had come to bring salvation, not just to Israel, but to the rest of the world as well.
Even as a tiny baby, Jesus was the Light of God to a darkened world filled with sin. The condition of Israel at the time was not good. The wicked Herod ruled brutally over the people. The Pharisees and Sadducees had replaced the truth of God with their traditions. Roman soldiers were stationed across the land to enforce foreign authority. But none of those things hindered God’s plan. When we see a trouble-filled world around us, we should remember what Simeon saw.
Today's Growth Principle:
When we look at Jesus, we must not let our vision of Him be clouded by the messages of the world.
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