Christian Reflection and Prayer

He took Him up in his arms and blessed God ...
(Luke 2:28a).           Read Luke 2:28-33.

 

Most of us really anticipate Christmas homecomings and
get-togethers, but few of us look forward to that moment
we have to depart. Saying goodbye is rarely easy, but it's
wonderful to leave on peaceful terms, returning to normal
life with warm memories of Christmas.

 

Simeon thinks of something similar as he steps up to the
young couple and takes the Child in his arms. He says,
"Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace,
according to Your Word; for my eyes have seen Your
salvation." Many have taken Simeon's words to mean he
was old or close to death, but not necessarily. He had
spent years anxiously waiting to see the consolation of
Israel, and now the suspense has finally ended. Looking
down into the face of the Christ Child, he knows he can
live out the rest of his life with this peaceful, joyous
memory.

 

Simeon points out that God has prepared His salvation
before the face of all peoples. He doesn't want us to look
at a baby in a manger and get warm fuzzy feelings.
Instead, we are to be confident that Jesus Christ came
into this world to make us right before God. He came to
save us from death and hell by His suffering, death and
resurrection.

 

Joseph and Mary both marvel at the things Simeon says
about Jesus. For the first time they learn He has come
not only for the people of Israel, but for people of all
nations. Through Luke's words we, like Simeon, have
looked upon the Christ Child: our Lord and Savior.
Because of His life, death and resurrection, we can pass
the rest of our days in peace and faith.

 

THE PRAYER:

 

Heavenly Father, thank You that I can depart this
Christmas season in peace, having seen Your salvation
in the Child of Christmas, Your Son Jesus Christ. Amen.

 

(Advent Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries)

 

And 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).        Read Luke 2:25-27.

 

We are moving further away from Christmas Day. For
most of us life is returning to normal. Back when I was a
child I would be back in school by now, or I would know
that it was only a few days away. Time passed for Jesus
too. He didn't stay a baby. Like every other child He
quickly grew. In our reading He is now more than a month
old, and Mary and Joseph take Him to Jerusalem for His
presentation.

 

At the same time they carry Him into the temple courts,
an Israelite man enters. Luke describes Simeon in much
the same way he had spoken of John the Baptist's father,
Zechariah, when he first introduced him. Both men were
righteous through their belief in God, firm in their faith,
and waiting anxiously for Him to keep His promise and
send the Savior. The Holy Spirit had given Simeon a
remarkable promise: he would not die before he had
seen the Christ. During his lifetime the Messiah would
come, and Simeon would see Him with his own eyes.

 

Simeon was a rare Israelite in his day. By the Holy
Spirit's guidance, he understood the Old Testament
promises accurately. The Christ would comfort His
people by saving them from their sins -- not by driving
out their earthly enemies, as most Jews expected.

And this very day Simeon feels a powerful urging from
the Holy Spirit to go to the temple. As he passes
through the temple courts, he is drawn to a young Boy
being carried by His mother and father.

 

THE PRAYER:

 

Heavenly Father, You revealed Your Son to Simeon.
As I read the Bible, reveal Him to me that I may know
His salvation and praise You forever in heaven. In
Jesus' Name. Amen.

 

(Advent Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries)

... they brought Him up to Jerusalem to present Him to
the Lord (Luke 2:22b).                  Read Luke 2:22-24.

 

I was really rough on toys when I was a kid. Few of the
presents I opened on Christmas day actually lasted
through the 12 days of Christmas. Sadly, I realize now
that only two of all those great toys still survive to this
day: a Tiny Tonka bulldozer and a gas-powered Cox
mini-van. The van doesn't run, and the bulldozer has a
few rust spots on it, but those two toys stand apart as
special to me because of their physical connection to
my long-gone childhood.

 

Today's devotion is about the day Jesus was set apart
as someone special. After the eighth-day circumcision,
the next big event for firstborn male children was their
presentation at the temple in Jerusalem, when they
were 40 days old.

 

The firstborn male child of each family was set apart as
holy to the Lord. And among all the Jewish boys
presented, this Son was unique. Through His miraculous
conception, Jesus was the only male Child who truly
stood apart from all His fellow Israelites, the only One
who was actually holy to the Lord, in, and of Himself.

In His presentation Jesus was officially set apart and
presented to the Lord for the unique work He would
undertake, saving all people from sin, death and hell.
Through faith in Him, God sets you and me apart from
all people, so we may serve the Lord and share Jesus'
story with those around us.

 

THE PRAYER:

 

Heavenly Father, through Your Son Jesus Christ, You
have set me apart as holy. Equip me and all your
children in Jesus to share His wonderful salvation with
those around us. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

 

(Advent Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries)