Joy to the World

Luke 2:26-38 CSB “There was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, looking forward to Israel’s consolation, and the Holy Spirit was on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he saw the Lord’s Messiah. Guided by the Spirit, he entered the temple. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform for him what was customary under the law, Simeon took him up in his arms, praised God, and said, Now, Master, you can dismiss your servant in peace, as you promised. For my eyes have seen your salvation. You have prepared it in the presence of all peoples — a light for revelation to the Gentiles and glory to your people Israel. His father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and told his mother Mary, “Indeed, this child is destined to cause the fall and rise of many in Israel and to be a sign that will be opposed — and a sword will pierce your own soul — that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” There was also a prophetess, Anna, a daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was well along in years, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and was a widow for eighty-four years. She did not leave the temple, serving God night and day with fasting and prayers. At that very moment, she came up and began to thank God and to speak about him to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.”

Every day when I reread the Christmas story for these short posts and every day I am amazed all over again at the intricacies of God’s plan and all that happened in these four chapters. Today I want to encourage you to ponder the words of Simeon’s praise and Anna’s testimony. These two individuals were devout and the Spirit of God filled them with praise at the sight of their Savior.

During the year I think we can all have a tendency to fall into the normal routine of a chapter a day and praying as you drive to work. Some Christians fall out of Bible reading and prayer altogether at some point during the year. Let this Christmas season be the thing that kickstarts your Bible reading and prayer life going into the new year. Simeon and Anna longed to see the Savior and we long to see Him return.

Ponder the beauty, the miracles, the glory of Jesus during this season of celebrating His birth. Joy to the world, the Lord has come, let earth receive her King. Let every heart prepare Him room, and Heaven and nature sing.

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