They saw Christmas, Pt. 2

[Continued from yesterday.]

Consider two more groups of people who saw that first Christmas, and their kindred spirits who still see Christ today.

Two oft-forgotten God-believers are Simeon and Anna (their story is told in Luke 2:22-38 if you wish to refresh your memory about them).  There were a number of similarities between these two.  Both were elderly:  he was close to death and she was at least 84-years-old.  He is called “righteous and devout” while she continually fasted and prayed (a quality of righteousness).  He was Holy Spirit-empowered and she was a prophetess.  He expected the coming of the Messiah while she continually announced His arrival.

What set apart Simeon and Anna was not their age, their righteousness, or even their excitement at Jesus’ birth, but their patient expectation.  Though God had been silent, their faith had not diminished (you might relate that statement to the truth of Heb. 11:6).  One reason they could celebrate Christ’s birth was that they expected it, in contrast to the religious leaders of the day (Mt. 2:4-6).  Christ see-ers are people who continue to believe God’s promises, even when they are not immediately fulfilled.

And then there were the wise men.  You remember the story from Mt. 2, don’t you?  Sure.  This group of astronomers may have traveled over 1000 miles to see what the star was all about.  And they came with gifts.  They gave their time (American Airlines did not serve that route in those days), probably traveling for several months to see Jesus.  They gave their worship (vv. 2, 11).  They gave up their pride.  Can you imagine the ignominy of world leaders falling on their faces before the baby of two poor teenagers?  They gave their obedience by following the instruction of God in the dream.  And they gave some trinkets of treasure too!  And they gave these things with no consideration to being repaid.

That’s why they saw the Christ and Christmas.  They were unconcerned about what they might receive and were motivated by what they might give.

The extent to which we see Christmas this year and every year will be proportional to the magnitude of our worship of Christ and our delight in Him above all things.