The Anticipation
As a child, my anticipation for Christmas grew from Thanksgiving until December 25. I focused on gifts, parties, family gatherings, food and fun— but rarely on Jesus. I knew Christmas was about the Christ- child, but somehow, He always fell behind the tinsel and trinkets.
On that original Christmas, 2,000 years ago, was anyone anticipating the Lord’s birth?
Yes. The Magi, or Wise Men from the East knew about when the King of the Jews would be born. They came to King Herod and asked, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him” ( Matthew 2: 2).
Zacharias and his wife, Elizabeth anticipated Christ’s birth. The angel Gabriel revealed they would have a son, John the Baptist, and a few months later, Jesus would be born. The angel said: “he [ John] will go as a forerunner before Him [ Christ] in the spirit and power of Elijah” ( Luke 1: 17).
Another couple in Jerusalem who awaited Christ’s arrival was Simeon and Anna. “It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ” ( Luke 2: 26).
What are you looking for when you consider the birth of Christ? What did Christmas bring to the world that could be found nowhere else? In Jesus, Simeon saw three things we need:
1. In Jesus He Saw God’s Comforter…” looking for the consolation of Israel” v. 25.
Simeon looked for the “consolation” or the comfort that would only be brought to Israel through the long- awaited Messiah. Jesus brings comfort that lasts forever—“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” ( Romans 5: 1).
2. In Jesus He Saw God’s Messiah…” before he had seen the Lord’s Christ” v. 26
The long- promised Messiah, or Christ would come to bring salvation, peace, comfort and freedom to this sin- saturated world. Jesus was rejected and died a sacrifice for sin, to provide eternal life for all people who will believe in Him.
3. In Jesus He Saw God’s Salvation… “my eyes have seen your salvation” v. 30
Simeon saw God’s Savior when he looked at the baby Jesus. He saw the potential salvation for all mankind. Jesus is the Savior— but He is also our Salvation. We celebrate Christmas because “Neither is there salvation in any other; for there is no other name under heaven, given among men, whereby we must be saved” ( Acts 4: 12).
On that night, in the dirty stable, the comfort, salvation and light of the world was born to offer the only solution to man’s sin and failure. This salvation is a gift that is received by faith. Celebrate the Hope of the world this Christmas!