Date: 12/22/2002

Text: Luke 2:25-35

Title: Simeon and Jesus On That First Christmas

Theme: During this Christmas season, we must see beyond the tinsels and bells to

recognize the God who has come to us.

Introduction:

The birth of Jesus always brings about a mixed response. The Angels, the shepherds and the Magi, were so joyous at the sight of the infant Jesus that they worshipped him. When King Herod heard about Jesus'' birth, he felt so insecure that he ordered infants under two years old in Bethlehem to be killed.

This has not really changed that much 2k years later. To some, this is a joyous and celebrative season. It is a time of gifts and family gatherings. Or its that time of the year when we are once again confirmed as Mr. Scrooge. Grumpy and grouchy about the money we have to spend. To the singles, single parents and those experiencing marital and relationship difficulties, this is also a very stressful time. People expect you to be happy but inside you may feel rotten. This is terrible. No wonder this is also the season when we have most people feeling depressed.

It is important that on this Christmas Sunday, to take a look at what that first Christmas was like. In the book of Luke, we have a very detailed account of that first Christmas. Under the big Christmas story, the birth of Jesus Christ, there were also several little stories. One of them was about an old man called Simeon. He probably lived near the Jerusalem temple. He had a vision of God telling him that he would see the Messiah before his death. So he was awaiting that special day. He was kind towards others and dedicated himself to God. So what did Simeon see on that first Christmas?

I. Simeon saw God on that first Christmas.

8 days after Jesus’ birth, Simeon was prompted by the Holy Spirit to go to the temple. While there, he saw the infant Jesus. In 2:28-30,"Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: "Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation,". To Simeon, this was no ordinary baby. This baby was God's salvation. It meant that he was the One through whom God would save his people. This baby was the Messiah, the one sent from God. He was God. Simeon saw God on that first Christmas.

Others must have certainly seen this baby. The inn-keeper on the night Jesus was born did not recognize who he was. Mary and Joseph's neighbour might have thought of him as a cute but noisy, crying baby (where do we get the idea that Jesus never cried as an infant?). They missed the Messiah. Who would have guessed that the Messiah would come in the form of an ordinary baby? Yet God chose to come in a form unexpected by all.

We often hear people say, "I wish God would reveal himself to me. Then I would never doubt again." We expect and wait for this to happen in some very extraordinary moments. Like the shepherds seeing great light and surrounded by singing angels. Or like Paul, on his way to Damasacus, a light shone on him, striking him to the ground. We wait for these spectacular moments to come. Certainly God can do this, but very often he comes to us in the very mundane circumstances of life. While we are changing diapers, washing dishes, typing a paper, preparing a sermon, praying or helping a needy person, God comes to us in these ordinary moments. But instead, we wait and look in the wrong places.

What is the key to Simeon's wisdom in seeing God in this baby? V25, he was righteous and devout, the Holy Spirit was upon him. V26, it was revealed to him by the holy spirit, v27, Moved by the holy spirit. Simeon was a man in close contact with the holy spirit. He was sensitive to the Spirit, he listened and obeyed the spirit.

In the busyness of this time, may we find time to pause and be silent before God. When we are sensitive to the Holy Spirit, listening to that still small voice, we too will see God in this infant Jesus.

II. Simeon saw the Truth of first Christmas.

2:30-32,"For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel." Simeon saw glory and light in Jesus. Glory means honor. He recognized it was an honor to the people of Israel that God came in the form of one of them. But Jesus was also the light to the gentiles. He was light to entire mankind. Simeon knew the significance of this light. The Jewish people were under the Roman rule. They experienced heavy taxation, exploitation by the religious and political leaders. They were enslaved to those who were supposed to be serving them. King Herod was a very insecure man. He killed over 40 of his close relatives inorder to secure his power. Yes, the Roman Empire was strong and prosperous, but spiritually and morally it was in total darkness.

Now with the coming of the Messiah, Simeon saw the light. As spoken by prophet Isaiah over 400 years ago, 9:1-2 "Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress……….The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned." This is the truth of Christmas, Jesus bringing light into the dark world. 30 years after his birth, he said,"I am the light of the world."

Christmas is about lights, isn't it? There are plenty of lights in the shopping centers and in our neighborhoods. In one city in Arkansas, one family used over 1 million light bulbs to decorate his house and yard. These lights are for decoration purpose, but isn’t it also true that these little lights are all pointing to the great light, Jesus Christ? He alone is the true light.

Spiritually and morally we live in a very dark world. The sense of moral right and wrong has been reduced to personal opinions. Charles Osgood said, "Our society not only needs people who are smart, but also people who can tell the difference between right and wrong." As a nation, we have lost our moral direction.

In this Christmas season, may we truly see the truth that Jesus is the light to our world, He is the light that points us to God. He is the light showing us right from wrong, directing and guiding us in the way we should go.

III.Simeon saw the Tension of the first Christmas.

V34,"This child is destined to cause the falling and rising many in Israel, and be a sign that will be spoken against."This implies that Jesus will become an offense to many. On the very first Christmas, in this infant Jesus, Simeon saw tension brewing.

Simeon saw Jesus himself as the source of tension. You see, if Jesus is clearly and correctly presented, no one can remain neutral about him. When King Herod was informed about the birth of Jesus, the king of Jews, he became so angry and troubled that he ordered all infants under 2 years old to be killed. In the gospel account, we see that whenever Jesus finished his teaching or performed a miracle, people were divided regarding who he was. The same happened in the book of Acts. Whenever the disciples presented Jesus, people were divided. Sooner or later, individuals have to make a decision about him. Is he God, or is he just an ordinary person?

Underlying all the festivities of this Christmas season, is a tension. Who is this Jesus? We can't ignore his historicity. If he was real, then what about his teachings? If his teachings were true, that he is the son of God, therefore he is God. Or if his teachings were false, this would make him the greatest liar ever lived on earth. If he was a liar, then we could just forget about him. However no one, who has investigated Jesus and his teachings has ever concluded that he was a liar. If he is indeed God, then we need to do something about it. You see, when Jesus is clearly and correctly presented, it will cause tension, making many people feel uncomfortable. If he is what he claims to be, it then implies that we are all sinners. No one likes to admit that he/she is a sinner. That's why when we come face to face with Jesus, it creates an inner tension, causing discomfort. Sooner or later, we each have to come to terms with who Jesus is. Not what my parents, Sunday school teachers or pastors have told me, not what others think. But who is he to me?

May this Christmas be a time for some of us to have the courage to face this issue head on, decide for youself who Jesus is.

IV. Simeon saw the Tragedy of Christmas.

V35,to Mary, Simeon said, "And a sword will pierce your soul too." On that first Christmas, Simeon saw pain and tragedy. Mary probably understood a little of this already. You know, she was only about 13/14 years old when she was pregnant with Jesus. Try to explain to friends, relatives that this baby was from God. Who would believe her? Rumors must have been flying all over the place. It hurt. And then maybe about 1 or 2 years after this encounter with Simeon, because of Jesus, many infants in Bethlehem and its vicinity were killed. Even though Jesus' life was spared, many others died. Only a mother can understand the pain and grief of another mother who has lost a son. 33 years later, on one Friday morning, Mary saw Jesus nailed to the cross. His disciples, except John, deserted him. Mary was there with Jesus till the end. Seeing her own son die on that cross must have grieved her deeply. This was what Simeon saw on that first Christmas.

Yes, Christmas is about light and joy. But Christmas also tells us about the suffering and death of this child. Throug his death, sins are forgiven and men are reconciled with God.

V. Simeon saw Hope in that first Christmas.

Christmas is a time of celebration. But its also a time of hope. Luke 2:29-30, "Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation," Simeon saw the light in Jesus. In the midst of darkness, a light had broken through. Its going to be different. Now, he is ready to go home. Its dark outside, but it doesn't have to be dark forever. There is hope. Now, its winter, but spring is just around the corner.

In the Chronicles of Narnia, the land of Narnia was under a spell from the white witch. The land was frozen, animals and trees couldn't talk anymore. The sky was gray, there was no music, no joy. Then the news came that Aslan had landed. The ice began to melt, sunlight began to break through. Animals were talking, trees were moving again. Aslan had brought them hope that the witch's reign would soon be over. Winter will not last forever.

This is Christmas. Since Jesus'' birth 2000 years ago, the world has become a much better place to live. We saw lives changed, the schools, hospitals are built and social structures being altered for good. Yet it is still quite dark outside. We need to remember that this Darkness will soon be over. There is hope. It is like that familiar saying, “Friday is here, and Sunday is coming!” Christmas points us to the day when this Messiah, our Savior will come again. On that day we'll see him face to face. He'll wipe away all our tears, bring an end to our pain and sufferings. He will remove all of our weaknesses and sins and transform us into his likeness. This is our hope.

Conclusion:

As our nation is still trying to recover from 911, we are hearing rumors of war again. Even though we live in a strong and prosperous nation, many of us are experiencing pain and confusion in our personal lives. We may be struggling in our marriages. We may be at the crossroad of some important moral choices. We are tired of waiting for employment. We don’t like where we are, yet not knowing where to go. Some may be at the last stage in their life. We too feel a sense of darkness within.

During the next few days, amidst a busy or sometimes hectic schedule, may we find time to pause, asking the Holy Spirit to enlighten us to see God in this infant Jesus. As we trust and obey him, listening to that still small voice within us, we shall also begin to experience that he is the light. He is the one that will direct us in the way we should go. Our hope is not confined to the circumstances that may change. But in the God who has come to us. He came to us, right where we are and what we are. He has come so he can be with us, walking with us through life’s troubles and confusion. We also look forward to the day when he will come again. When we’ll see him face to face. When we’ll find eternal rest in Him. This is the hope of Christmas.