Dec 12, 2021
Scripture Reading: Luke 2:25-35
We all know that Christmas means more than eggnog and emotion, cards and commercials. But it is so easy, in the lunacy we call December, to lose sight of the Son of God. Usually the star in the Eastern sky is dimmed by the flashing of department store lights.
How refreshing it is to return each year to the word of the living God and let the gospel writers focus our hearts on the King who was born. The whole meaning of Christ, in concise form, is found in the declarations of Simeon, the old man in the temple. He took Jesus in his arms and declared, "Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace . . . for my eyes have seen your salvation" (Luke 2:29,30).
Simeon's remarks precisely bring into focus the purpose of Jesus' coming. Though there are many wonderful emotions which we experience at Christmas time, Simeon's declarations keep us from a nebulous, undefined sentimentalism.
Jesus came to be a light shining in the darkness (Lk 2:32) and this light brings a sharp division, separating all people into two groups. On one hand, there are those who rise in Christ's redemption, and on the other hand, there are those who fall under His judgment (Lk 2:34). Every person either embraces the King or rejects Him. Judas rejects and Peter repents … one thief blasphemes and the other confesses his sins. There is no middle ground.
Because of Christ's coming, the heart of every person will ultimately be revealed. The response, deep in the soul, to the Son of God is the fundamental question of life. No other question even comes close.