Simeon's Long-Awaited Christmas

Simeon’s Long-Awaited Christmas

Luke 2:25-35

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!