Dear All.,
It’s December! For many it may only mean one thing — Christmas! I
think the kids are the most excited about Christmas! Actually some
kids have a hard time waiting for Christmas (or I should say is
because they can’t wait for their gifts!). How about you, what are
you waiting for Christmas? Are you longing for anything? Maybe you
are expecting special coming or looking forward for it? Or, it will
just be another ordinary “so – so” Christmas?
In the Gospel of Luke chapter 2, there were two characters that made
their appearance in the final drama of the first Christmas. This was
the time when the infant Jesus was dedicated in the temple. One was
named Simeon and the other was woman named Anna. We know that they
don’t appear in any nativity or in any Christmas cards, but I believe
that they played significant roles.
We’re introduced to Simeon in Luke 2:25 “Now there was a man in
Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting
for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.”
Simeon was righteous before people, and he was devout in his
relationship with GOD. While Anna was introduced in Luke 2:28 “Coming
up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about
the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of
Jerusalem.”
Things weren’t going real well for the nation of Israel during the
birth of Jesus. They hadn’t heard from GOD for many years and were
under Roman rule. They had lost their independence and were living in
fear of the capable, crafty and cruel King Herod .. and many were
wondering if the “Messiah” would ever come for redemption and comfort.
It strikes me that the desire to be redeemed and comforted are
universal human needs! We all struggle with loneliness, emptiness,
insecurity and even desperation. And Christmas season is one of the
major crisis time of the year … in fact the highest for depression and
suicide!
Going back to Luke 2, the Holy Spirit prompted Simeon to go to the
temple and looked at the baby Jesus, maybe about 6 weeks old, and saw
the promise of GOD fulfilled! Here was Immanuel, “God with us,” to
make everything right, to provide significance and to eliminate
rejection, fear and loneliness! Then in verse 34, it puzzled me by
what Simeon told Mary, “This child is destined to cause the falling
and rising of many in Israel and to be a sign that will spoken
against…” Hmm, that’s not really a joyful Christmas greeting, isn’t
it?
Here I believe is the answer… whether we like it or not, I think
Christmas splits people into two camps. Since Jesus has entered the
world, He has divided the human race. Jesus will cause the “falling
and rising” of many because of who Jesus is and what He came to do.
It forces people to make a decision about Him. The Bible uses powerful
imagery of Jesus as either the Rock that you build your life upon
(rising) or He’s the rock that you stumble over (falling)! Here’s the
point: you can’t stay neutral about Jesus. You are either for Him or
against Him. You’re moving closer to Him, or further away from Him.
You either have Christ or you don’t.
On the other hand, when Anna saw Jesus, she gave thanks to God and
spoke of Him to all who were waiting for redemption. The word
redemption is related to the idea of captivity. Here, at last, is the
One who would save His people from their sins — the ultimate
redemption and the symbol of God’s love and power to release the
captives!
Allow me to ask the question again, “What are you waiting for this
Christmas?” For me, even if Christ is born in Bethlehem a thousand
times, unless He is born in you … life will be always empty!
~get aLife~
-p.a. <><
