December

What are you expecting for Christmas? People already are compiling lists and dreaming of what Christmas might bring for them. Long ago Simeon, an elderly Jew, a man of faith was waiting for the promised Messiah to come. Simeon, eagerly waited in the Temple everyday; expecting that God would somehow keep His Promise that He had made to Abraham, Moses and all of His chosen people, Israel. Perhaps he kept his eye on the sky, waiting for the clouds to part and reveal a great and glorious king! Maybe he was expecting a warrior to appear and destroy the Roman enemies. No one is exactly sure what old Simeon was expecting. This is what he got: a little Baby wrapped in rags with parents close to poverty. This Baby seemed the most unlikely one to save the world. Yet, this little ragged Baby was exactly the One to save us.

What must Simeon have been thinking as God directed his attention to this Baby. God in effect saying, here He is; the One with the dirty diaper!

Then this man of the Old Covenant, went to Mary and Joseph and asked to hold Jesus in his arms. When he did, his greatest expectations were fulfilled. God’s Promise had come, in the Flesh! Jesus was the best news ever! Though Simeon must have been thrilled to embrace this Baby Messiah, even greater news was that this Savior came to embrace him and us. Deep inside the heart of this tired, old man was the truth that his whole life long this long awaited one had been holding on to Simeon!!! Jesus has come to embrace you and me too!

This was not exactly what old Simeon was expecting. What are you expecting? World peace, economic security, just government, happy families? Whatever you might be hoping for; waiting for, watching for this Christmas; the Best has been given to you, Christ Jesus the Lord! Nothing else really matters. All the rest is temporary. Jesus is forever and you are His forever. Our prayer for all of you is that Jesus Christ will meet your greatest expectations and that you will have a blessed Christmas.

Sharing Christ’s Joy,

Pastor. Michelle and Joshua

 

         

Revdavidnuss@aol.com