“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 (yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts
of many hearts may be revealed.” (Luke 2:34-35 NKJ)
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 (yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts
of many hearts may be revealed.” (Luke 2:34-35 NKJ)
During the Christmas
season, it is easy to get carried away with the mystery and breathless wonder
of the babe in the manger. This wonderful story is filled with love and can be
sugarcoated to such a degree that God’s intended message becomes obscure.
season, it is easy to get carried away with the mystery and breathless wonder
of the babe in the manger. This wonderful story is filled with love and can be
sugarcoated to such a degree that God’s intended message becomes obscure.
And if we miss the
reason for the season, we have missed the most important part of the story. The
story contains elements of difficulty, heartache, fear, and mystery. The story
is introduced with Mary and Joseph. It continues with the baby’s birth and angelic
heralds to shepherds and the visit of wise men, but these elements comprise
only the beginning of this beautiful story of the love of God.
reason for the season, we have missed the most important part of the story. The
story contains elements of difficulty, heartache, fear, and mystery. The story
is introduced with Mary and Joseph. It continues with the baby’s birth and angelic
heralds to shepherds and the visit of wise men, but these elements comprise
only the beginning of this beautiful story of the love of God.
The gift of
Christmas — Christ — was for the purpose of eternal salvation, but this gift
wasn’t completed at the manger in the stable. Yet, we can get trapped by the
warm fuzzies and envisioning a cute, cuddly baby wrapped in swaddling clothes
lying in a manger. For many, Christmas begins and ends there at the manger
scene.
Christmas — Christ — was for the purpose of eternal salvation, but this gift
wasn’t completed at the manger in the stable. Yet, we can get trapped by the
warm fuzzies and envisioning a cute, cuddly baby wrapped in swaddling clothes
lying in a manger. For many, Christmas begins and ends there at the manger
scene.
But life goes on . .
. Mary and Joseph went to the Temple to perform the purification rite for Mary
and to have baby Jesus circumcised, officially register his name, and dedicate
him to God. All this was according to the custom of the Mosaic Law. While in
the Temple, Simeon the Devout spoke words of wisdom and knowledge to Mary about
the future of her son.
. Mary and Joseph went to the Temple to perform the purification rite for Mary
and to have baby Jesus circumcised, officially register his name, and dedicate
him to God. All this was according to the custom of the Mosaic Law. While in
the Temple, Simeon the Devout spoke words of wisdom and knowledge to Mary about
the future of her son.
It is an exciting,
mysterious element that encourages the reader to continue the story in order to
know how it ends. It began with an espoused couple and a baby’s birth in the
little town of Bethlehem of first century Palestine. He was swaddled and laid in
a manger. Outside of town, angels appeared to shepherds, heralding this baby’s
birth. Mother and child go to the Temple to perform the prescriptions of the
Law. And we learn that this young mother will suffer heartache because of her
son’s destiny. What is that destiny?
mysterious element that encourages the reader to continue the story in order to
know how it ends. It began with an espoused couple and a baby’s birth in the
little town of Bethlehem of first century Palestine. He was swaddled and laid in
a manger. Outside of town, angels appeared to shepherds, heralding this baby’s
birth. Mother and child go to the Temple to perform the prescriptions of the
Law. And we learn that this young mother will suffer heartache because of her
son’s destiny. What is that destiny?
Dear Father, thank
you for the gift of Christ and the gift he gave. During this season, remind us
again of the ultimate gift of your love. I pray this in the name of Jesus. AMEN
you for the gift of Christ and the gift he gave. During this season, remind us
again of the ultimate gift of your love. I pray this in the name of Jesus. AMEN
Receive Christ’s
gift of love today,
gift of love today,