The first Christmas when Christ came was a far cry
from the Christmas we celebrate every year. It was not filled with lights and
toys and gift and mistletoes. Unlike us who celebrate it only once a year, Joseph
and Mary had to live their entire lives in the unfolding mystery of the God Incarnate.
Luke now brings us to the eighth day of Jesus’ earthly life when He was circumcised.
This was commanded in Genesis 17 for all male under Abraham’s household. In
circumcision, He identified with the covenant people of God. And more importantly,
here He was officially named Jesus, as the angel had instructed. And He shall
save His people from their sin for the meaning of this name is ‘Jehovah is
salvation’.
After the circumcision, and about a month later
when the period of Mary’s purification was over, His earthly parents brought Him
to Jerusalem to present Jesus to the Lord. Every first born male, according to
the Law, must be consecrated to the Lord. The sacrifice was either a yearling lamb
as a burnt offering or a pair of turtledoves or young pigeons. Here their
sacrifice tells us that they were poor folks. Though poor, their life of
obedience to the instruction of the Lord made them rich. We must remember never
to allow the illusive sense of personal spiritual adequacy or sufficiency to
rob us of the richness of depending on the Lord. It is when we are weak that we
are strong and where our strength is made perfect in Him.
In the Temple in Jerusalem, Mary and Joseph met Simeon
and Anna, two Israelites whose lives demonstrated godliness and faith. Simeon
was said to be righteous and devout and waiting for the consolation of Israel,
and the Holy Spirit was upon him. Anna was a prophetess, the daughter of
Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was widowed after seven years of marriage
and remained a widow till age 84. She never left the Temple but worshiped night
and day, fasting and praying. Both these godly and devout aged people were a prophet
and a prophetess. They both were filled with trusting expectancy. They persisted
in faith, trusting and looking forward for the coming of the Messiah when most
were languishing in faith and patience. They set an example for us today. Lives
like theirs were rare.
In his patient waiting, Simeon was privileged
to know, through the Holy Spirit that he would not die till he had seen the
Lord Christ. We don’t know how long he had waited but it was not in vain. Just
imagine his deep assurance as he came to the Temple daily, looking with expectation
to meet the Savior. And then, that great day arrived. The Holy Spirit moved in
him. He came to the Temple when Jesus’ earthly parents came to present Him to
the Lord. He took the baby Jesus in his arms and started praising God. His song
revealed the purpose of the Messiah and his own sense of satisfaction. He could
now depart in peace. Why? For his eye had seen the Salvation of the Lord. Jesus
is God’s salvation. He is all we need. Jesus is God’s salvation not only to the
Jews but also to the Gentiles. Simeon’s heart was filled with joy at the coming
of the Redeemer. And the thought of the personal promise fulfilled that day
lifted him beyond his song. Joseph and Mary
marveled at Simeon’s words about Jesus, but Mary held every word close to her
heart.
In his closing words, Simeon said to Mary, “Behold, this Child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and for a sign to be opposed and
a sword will pierce even your own soul—to the end that thoughts from many
hearts may be revealed.” Christ’s coming was the signal that the Kingdom of
Light would now confront the Kingdom of the world. And many coming to Christ would
have first to bow in humility and poverty of spirit, before they could rise to the
hope of a glorious new life. As it happened, Mary would experience apprehension
and feel her soul crushed. She would watch her son being rejected by the very
people He came to rescue.
When the
ceremony was over, the family returned to Galilee, to Nazareth and there Christ
grew in strength and wisdom, with the grace of God upon Him. Simeon was
described as righteous and devout, and Anna kept coming to the Temple serving
night and day with fasting and
prayers. What about us? Like them let’s allow the reality of Christ to fill our
daily life. Let’s make Him a part of our daily life!
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