Like most families at Christmas time, there are favourite traditions that occupy our time together. If you have small children, it might be going Christmas Tree “hunting” or making a Gingerbread house. Got teenagers? Ice skating seems to be a popular activity. Older than that? Some families appear to draw inspiration from National Lampoons’ Christmas Vacation and channel their inner Clark Griswald, by spending hours decorating their houses with thousands of twinkling lights – without cousin Eddie, the guy with the metal plate in his head. Even older? Well, if you happen to be getting your monthly Old Age Security (OAS) and Canada Pension (CPP) each month, I hazard to guess that singing carols might be a top Christmas tradition for you.
Now, some Christmas songs are amusing– like these new versions of old-time Christmas classics:
Wreck the malls this Christmas season, Fa la la la la la la la la!
Blow your cash for no good reason, Fa la la la la la la la la!
Push your charge card to the limit, Fa la la la la la la la la!
Your bank account has nothing in it, Fa la la la la la la la la!
Or how about ...
I'll be cloned for Christmas, there'll be three of me: One to work, and one to shop, and one just for parties!
Christmas Eve, I'm certain, I won't be alone. I'll be home for Christmas, or else I'll send a clone!
Some Christmas songs are nostalgic and melodious – when I listen to Nate King Cole’s “Chestnuts Roasting on an open fire, Jack Frost nipping at your nose,” or Irving Berlin’s 1942 song sung by Bing Crosby, “I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas” I want to find a comfortable chair by the tree, sip some hot apple cider and be thankful I am indoors where it’s warm and quiet.
The Bible has some Christmas songs as well. Perhaps not as familiar as “Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” or “Away in a Manger,” they certainly are just as deserving of our attention. There is Mary’s Christmas song, commonly known as the Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55) ... the song of the Angels (Luke 2:8-14) who appeared before the shepherds who were “keeping watch over their flocks by night” ... and that clear, certain and concise song sung by Simeon found in the Gospel of Luke (2:21-32) – one of my favourites.
I think sometimes we forget that Jesus was born into a very Jewish family which kept all the Jewish laws blamelessly. In our attempt to universalize Jesus and make Him a ‘one-size-fits-all’ kind of person, we should not make the mistake of isolating Him from His cultural context. I think that’s why in Chapter 2, Doctor Luke reminds us of the rituals surrounding childhood in a Jewish family. For example:
The Law required that all male children be circumcised on the eighth day after birth. God had specifically directed Abraham (Genesis 17:12) to circumcise newborn males on the eighth day. So that's what happened here in Bethlehem (v. 21).
The Law required that about 40 days after the birth of a son (80 days of a girl), the woman and child had to present themselves in the temple for ritual purification (Leviticus 12:1-5). Traveling the six miles from Bethlehem to the temple in Jerusalem, Mary would have immersed herself in a mikvah – a cleansing bath – to make herself ritually clean (v. 22).
Finally, Jewish Law required that parents bring their firstborn son before the Lord to be "redeemed" (consecrated) by the offering of a sacrifice. The Law in Exodus 13, 18, 34 (also Lev. 12 and Num. 18) said that every firstborn male was to be dedicated completely to God. This was to be done no earlier than 31 days after birth. So, families would take their firstborn son to the Temple... but then would pay five shekels to ‘redeem’ back the firstborn. Furthermore, there was also an obligation to bring an offering (Korban). Usually it was a lamb, but because of Mary’s poverty, she brings a pair of young pigeons or doves as her sacrifice – (Leviticus 12:6-8) since that was all the family could afford. Dr. Luke says that Jesus is taken by Mary and Joseph to Jerusalem in obedience to the Law (v. 23).
It is while Mary and Joseph are moving into the Temple Courtyard, that a divine drama suddenly unfolds. A man called Simeon, from Jerusalem appears. We know nothing about his background, his hometown, his education, or even his occupation. We assume he was a priest—although the verses in Luke 2 do not explicitly say so. We assume he was an old man—but even that is not a certain fact. He simply appears on the stage of history and after his part is over, he fades from the story, never to be heard from again.
Here is what we can say. We know ...
Simeon's name means “hear and obey,” suggesting to me that he had an attitude of expectation and obedience; that’s the way he lived; he trusted God’s perspective.
Simeon was “just” [fair, upright] and “devout” [God-fearing, pious](v. 25).
Simeon has been eagerly expecting to see the Messiah... the "consolation [comfort] of Israel” ... at the time when occupied, weary Jerusalem would receive her comfort and relief from the Lord, brought about by the Messiah (v. 25).
Simeon was suddenly nudged by the Holy Spirit (v. 25).
Simeon saw the Saviour because he had paid attention
to what so many others could not be bothered
to see or look for.
Rushing to the side of Mary and Joseph, Simeon gathers Jesus into his arms and blesses and prophesies over Him... and what he says marks it as one of the most wonderful messages of Christmas.
1. This Song of Christmas reminds us that there is a divine plan working itself out in this world ... a plan intended to give us assurance and personal peace (v. 28-29)
“Simeon took Him in His arms and praised God, saying: “Sovereign Lord, as You have promised, You may now dismiss Your servant in peace.”
I am not a great reader of fiction, but there are a few authors for whom I make an exception. One of them is Tom Clancy, author of novels like Patriot Games, Clear and Present Danger and The Hunt for Red October. In ‘Red October’, the plot centered around a Soviet submarine captain who was attempting to defect to the United States and take his new, hightech nuclear submarine with him. He had no way of contacting the US Armed Forces to tell them of his intentions and as sonar showed his sub coming closer and closer to the American shores – folks are wondering about his motives.
The American Joint Chiefs of Staff are about to call for an attack on this rapidly approaching sub when Jack Ryan, the recurring hero of Clancy’s novels, speaks up and says, "Wait a minute .... this Soviet captain is not going to attack!"
One of the joint chiefs looked at this young man and asked, "How do you know that? How do you know he's not going to launch an attack?" Ryan very confidently replied, "He wouldn't do that. And I know this... I know what he's doing... because I read his book." Ryan had studied this soviet captain's book on submarine warfare so he felt he knew his intentions.
Filled with the Spirit, Simeon took one look at Jesus and understood that there was a divine plan working itself out. The long-awaited promise had appeared. Acknowledging both the Sovereignty of God and His will fulfilled in our world (“Sovereign Lord, as You have promised,”) Simeon sees Jesus as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies – books that he knew and read.
The promised Messiah who sits on the throne of David (Jeremiah 23:5);
The "Immanuel" and the "Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace" spoken of by Isaiah (Isaiah 7:14; 9:6);
The Son of God who sits at God's right hand (Psalm 110:1);
The Sun of Righteousness who would come with healing in His wings (Malachi 4:2).
With his knowledge of the scriptures, Simeon saw with his own eyes what God's people had waited centuries to see and what Simeon himself had waited a whole lifetime to see --- a sovereign God, a God who keeps His promises. Satisfied, he says, “Dismiss Your servant in peace.”
If we would read ‘the Book’ with an open heart/mind,we would see the Christ child as Simeon did:
The long-awaited promise.
Simeon did not see any miracles ... any wonders ... any signs that might be peculiar to divinity or draw attention to this child's heavenly origins; he simply saw a baby. Since he was expectingly waiting for the consolation (comfort) of Israel (v. 25), the Holy Spirit walked into Simeon's life (v. 26) and said, “This is the One I promised long ago who will fulfill My plans for your world.”
2. This Song of Christmas reminds us that we can easily miss the meaning / message of salvation if we are not looking for it (v. 30-31)
“For my eyes have seen Your salvation, which You have prepared in the sight of all nations.”
A respected temple-regular walks over to Mary and Joseph, taking their kid and declaring him to be "God's salvation!" Many folks will say, "But Simeon, it’s only a baby." Do not let the package fool you; don’t judge the book by its cover – because you can easily miss a great story.
John MacArthur, in his book “God With Us,” reminds us that there were lots of folks in the first century who missed Christmas and its meaning:
The Innkeeper missed it because he was preoccupied with making money
King Herod missed it because he was fearful that another king could take his throne
The religious leaders missed it because they were too self-righteous and proud
The citizens of Jerusalem missed it because they were religious – worshiping God in ritual while He was born right under their noses in reality!
The entire Roman empire missed it because they had their own gods and idols
Even Jesus’ hometown of Nazareth missed it because they were too familiar with Him
Little has changed since that first century. In fact, sometimes, the more things change, the more they stay the same! Remember the words of “O Little Town of Bethlehem,” and the third verse of that carol: “How silently, how silently, The wondrous gift is given!” Jesus comes silently, quietly, without fuss, without making a stir... and most of the world paid no attention.
There are lots of folks who go down all of life's roads with their eyes closed! They look but they do not "see". It is as if they are blind, deaf, and dumb but do not even know it.
Moved by the Spirit, Simeon said, "My eyes have seen Your salvation which You have prepared in the sight of all people.” That's the heart of Christmas – we need saving, but countless want to steal this message from the public square.
3. This Song of Christmas reminds us that salvation extends to the entire world (v. 32).
“A light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people Israel.”
We should notice that Simeon prophesies that both Gentiles and Jews are candidates for God's salvation through Jesus. This is the same message the angel spoke to the shepherds on Christmas night: "I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people" (Luke 2:10). The Apostle John said it a little differently in his book (3:16)... but he said it just as well: “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whomever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.”
Simeon recognized in the baby Jesus, a light that would bring salvation to all those trapped in darkness. I’ve seen that very thing happen often over the course of my life.
Where there was guilt, He brought forgiveness.
Where there was weakness, He offered strength.
Where there was anxiety and worry, He provided peace.
Where there was sickness and grief, He brought healing, both physically and emotionally.
Where there was failure, He gave His love and His hope.
I find Simeon’s words remarkable for their universal scope. He said that Jesus has come for all people – for all nations and races of the world. regardless of race, colour, gender, ethnicity or sexual orientation. Simeon’s faith did not stop at saying "Jesus is my personal Saviour". No, his was a more powerful faith that announced: "Jesus is the Saviour of the world". No person has more rights to Him than any other. No one owns Him - not you, not me, not the Protestants or the Catholics ... or the Pentecostals; and certainly not the Church. The Babe is not ours - we are His – if we will accept His offer of salvation (I John 1:9).
Anyone remember Dr. Seuss's book, "How the Grinch Stole Christmas"?
“Every Who down in Who-ville liked Christmas a lot,But the Grinch, who lived just north of Who-ville, did not!The Grinch hated Christmas! The whole Christmas season!Now, please don't ask why. No one knows quite the reason.”
The grouchy Grinch hates Christmas and everything about Christmas – the toys, the noise, the joy, the songs, the parties – everything! He decides to stop Christmas from coming . . . goes down the chimney of every house in Who-ville, and steals everything he can get his hands on.
But later, Dr. Seuss writes ... almost prophetically:
“Every Who down in Who-ville, the tall and the small,
Was singing! Without any presents at all!
He hadn't stopped Christmas from coming!
It came! Somehow or other, it came just the same!
And the Grinch, with his grinch-feet ice-cold in the snow,
Stood puzzling and puzzling: "How could it be so?"
It came without ribbons! It came without tags!"
It came without packages, boxes or bags!"
And he puzzled three hours, till his puzzler was sore.
Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before!"
Maybe Christmas," he thought, "doesn't come from a store."
Maybe Christmas ... means a little bit more!"
God, in His unsurpassable love, sent His Son to repair the breech made by our sin ... to redeem our brokenness ... to restore us to fellowship with God. It started in Bethlehem ... where the world muddled around in darkness “Until He appeared and the soul felt its worth” (O Holy Night). So indeed! “Christmas ... means a little bit more” ... if you have the courage to investigate ‘the Book’ like Simeon did. “OnlySaying...”
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