Sermon Central
-
Simeon's Long-Awaited Christmas
Contributed by Jimmy Dillon on Nov 1, 2007 (message contributor)
Summary: Looks at the gift that Jesus is to those who receive Him.
Simeon’s Long-Awaited Christmas
Introduction
Christmas time is the most wonderful time of the year to most people…it is for me
You can see it all around as all of the decorations go up, the stores are packed, all the great Christmas TV shows come on
I know children look forward to it every year with great anticipation of what Christmas brings
There is a man in the bible from our text today that also was waiting for Christmas with great anticipation
The title of message today is “Simeon’s Long-Awaited Christmas”
I want us to look at this morning, how this man Simeon celebrates Christmas and what Christmas truly meant to him
Read Luke 2:25-25 (NLT)
Pray
Trans: The first thing that we should see, that is no different today, is that…
1. Simeon eagerly awaited Christmas to come
Vs 25 At that time there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon. He was righteous and devout and was eagerly waiting for the Messiah to come and rescue Israel. The Holy Spirit was upon him
Every year, I know children all over the world, can’t wait for Christmas to come
The eagerly await what gifts that might be given to them…they dream of what they might get…fill out their wish list…and wait to see what that day brings
Simeon was no different…our text says that he “was eagerly awaiting for Christmas”
He was anxious to unwrap the gift that God had promised to send before Simeon departed this earth
Trans: Simeon not only was eagerly waiting for Christmas but…
2. He was seeking what Christmas would bring
Vs 26-27 The Holy Spirit was upon him and had revealed to him that he would not die until he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27 That day the Spirit led him to the Temple.
I don’t know about your house but there are times in my house we seek out what Christmas will bring (shaking presents, little inquiries, etc…)
Simeon had been told long ago about the prophecy of the coming Messiah
And He had a promise that He would see the Messiah before he died
He wasn’t for sure what to look for…but Simeon was seeking Him and He knew that when the Messiah came…it was Christmas
He was sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit that led Him to the temple that day
He was seeking the ultimate gift that would come to mankind and be celebrated by all
Trans: Simeon not only sought what Christmas would bring, but…
3. He Embraced Christmas and Praised God
Vs 27-28 So when Mary and Joseph came to present the baby Jesus to the Lord as the law required, 28 Simeon was there. He took the child in his arms and praised God
Christmas is such a special time of year and yet many fail to embrace what the celebration truly is about
Simeon understood what Christmas meant…he had long-awaited for the day to come that He could Embrace the Messiah and Praise God
For that is truly what Christmas is all about…it’s not all the presents under the tree
It’s not the songs that we sing…the parties we attend…the decorations we enjoy
It is about embracing the Messiah…the long-awaited Christ-child and giving praise to God for His indescribable gift
Trans: Simeon embraces Christmas and praised God because He knows that…
4. Christmas brings Salvation and Peace for All
Vs 30 I have seen your salvation, 31 which you have prepared for all people.
When Simeon was promised to see the Messiah, he eagerly awaited because he knew that this was the one who would come to redeem mankind
He knew about the coming Messiah as prophesied by Micah in 5:2-5
But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, are only a small village among all the people of Judah. Yet a ruler of Israel will come from you, one whose origins are from the distant past. 3 The people of Israel will be abandoned to their enemies until the woman in labor gives birth. Then at last his fellow countrymen will return from exile to their own land. 4 And he will stand to lead his flock with the LORD’s strength, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God. Then his people will live there undisturbed, for he will be highly honored around the world. 5 And he will be the source of peace.
And He also heard from Isaiah the prophet about the one who would come
Isa 7:14 All right then, the Lord himself will give you the sign. Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel (which means ‘God is with us’).
Isa 9:6-7 For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 His government and its peace will never end. He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity. The passionate commitment of the LORD of Heaven’s Armies will make this happen!
