Patt and I continue to send each of you our joyful Christmas greetings! We rejoice with you in the incarnational love that we celebrate this time of year. As I have already shared in an earlier devotional, what a joy to know that the true and living God is “Immanuel, God with us” (Mt. 1:23) – rather than God against us! As one of my spiritual mentors, Dr. David Seamands, rightly observed: “God is not against us for our sins; He is for us against our sins!” That’s certainly a part of the “…good news of great joy that will be for all the people” (Lk. 2:11). As I have been reflecting with you in this Advent Series over the different aspects of the Christmas story, I have again prayerfully pondered the words of the aged saint Simeon. Perhaps that’s because at 66 I am getting older myself! As he held the mystery of the Incarnate God in his arms, he prayed this profound prayer:

“Sovereign Lord, as You have promised, You now dismiss Your servant in peace.
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”
(Luke 2:29-32).

Several truths impress me about Simeon’s prayer. Let me share them with you briefly:

First, the sovereignty of God: His prayer begins where all true prayer should begin – with an acknowledgement of the nature of God: “Sovereign Lord…” Simeon’s time, just like our time, was marked by turmoil and intrigue. Rome ruled the world and in the process repressed his people, the Jews.

In addition, the Jewish religion that he lived by had become corrupt and divided. His life was nearly over, yet, he rested in the sovereignty of God. The heart of the word sovereignty is the word, “reign.” In spite of what he saw all around him, Simeon knew that God was sovereignly in control. Nothing in all these political or religious events had caught God off guard. He was still “Lord of heaven and earth.” He was still reigning over both the power of Rome and the perversions of Judaism. We need that same reminder this Christmas, don’t we?

Secondly, we see the serenity of Simeon: His whole life had one focus: “He was waiting for the consolation of Israel” (Lk. 2:25). The word here for “consolation” is the word, paraklesis. It means “to comfort or to console”. Through the prophet Isaiah, God had said: “Comfort, comfort my people” (Isa. 40:1). Simeon had lived his whole life waiting for God to comfort His people through the coming of the Messiah. In some way we are not told about, the Holy Spirit had assured him “…that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ” (Lk. 2:26). When almost everyone else had lost their hope in the Messiah, Simeon never gave up. God’s Word was sure. That one promise focused his whole life! That was the one thing that he lived for. Indeed, it was the one thing that kept him alive! Once he held the baby Jesus in his arms, he serenely prayed: “…now dismiss your servant in peace” (Lk. 2:29).

A good question to ponder this Christmas is this: “Do I have such a promise from God that focuses and prioritizes my life? Do I have that same peace for living – and for dying?”

Thirdly, the salvation of the world: Simeon realized that this tiny Messianic miracle that he held in his arms was not just for Mary and Joseph. Nor was He just for his own fulfillment. God’s Messiah was not just for a select few nor just a parochial Savior for those living in Jerusalem. As incredible as his own personal encounter was with the Christ Child, this could not be understood as a “private spiritual experience” to be enjoyed only by himself along with Mary and Joseph. Simeon rightly understood that this Child was the salvation for the whole world: “For my eyes have seen your salvation,” he prayed, “which you have prepared in the sight of all people”. This salvation was for ALL PEOPLE. Through the years Simeon had come to realize that Jesus had come not just for the Jews but as “…a light for revelation to the Gentiles.”

This revelation to Simeon reminds us afresh that it is impossible to separate Christmas from missions! God sent His Son into the world as a missionary to save both Jews and Gentiles. You and I are celebrating Christmas because of that fact!

Therefore, another timely question for the holidays might be: “What part is world missions playing in my Christmas giving this year?”

Fourthly, the significance of Israel: Simeon also understood the spiritual significance of this Christ Child for the nation of Israel. In addition to being the “…salvation for…all people, a light…to the Gentiles”; He was also “…for glory to your people Israel.” As he held the baby in his arms, he prophesied:

“This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed” (Luke 2:34-35)

As Paul later wrote:

“…the Gospel…is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jews, then for the Gentiles” (Rom. 1:16)

But almost from Paul’s time until now, the Jews have largely rejected their Messiah. The Bible says: “Israel has experienced a hardeningin part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in.” After that time, known only to God, Paul assures us that “…all Israel will be saved” (Rom. 11:25-26). That’s why throughout the world Christmas continues to be more of a “Gentile Celebration” than a “Jewish Celebration.” However, because many successful merchants are of Jewish descent, it is often said that the day after Christmas they gather around the overflowing cash register and sing: “What a friend we have in Jesus!” Not!

But as Simeon’s prayer reveals, the real “glory of Christmas” is the “glory of Christ.” He knew that this Child was the “…glory to your people Israel.”

So, my final question in this devotional is the same one I ask myself: “Is Christ being glorified in our Christmas celebration?”

Join me in thoughtfully pondering Simeon’s prayer over the holidays. I find his prayer so relevant to our own current American political and religious situation – as well as to world conditions. As we think about the political corruptness of King Herod who killed innocent children to secure his political position and power, we cannot help but draw parallels between what is happening within the American presidency! But like Simeon, we must find peace and serenity in God’s sovereignty just as Simeon did.

As we continue to watch escalating terrorism around the world – like the on-going fighting between the Israelites and Palestinians in the Holy Land, we are again reminded of the unique part Israel and the Middle East play in the history of the world! Just as God’s Spirit revealed to Simeon, Jesus is still the cause of “…the rising and falling of many in Israel.” But it’s not only happening in Israel, but in many other countries and cultures of the world where the Christ of Christmas is not welcome. But through it all, we Christians must stay focused on our primary task of sharing God’s salvation with “…all people.” That’s the “Christmas Commission” for every believer.

From another “senior saint” like Simeon…



J.L.