Advent Devotional for Christmas Day
Thursday, December 25 Luke 2:22-32
Jesus grants us healing both here and beyond.
Simeon served in the Temple and we read that he looked forward with steadfast heart to “the consolation of Israel.” He looked forward to the day when God would decisively break into the world on behalf of his people, and reconcile all people to Himself. When he saw Jesus, in the Spirit he knew that he was seeing the Messiah, the One he had waited to see all his life.
And he embraces this baby, this baby who has been the purpose of his whole life, and he essentially cries out to God, “I can now die happy. Because, God, I have seen your salvation; I have embraced and held him for myself, and I now know the consolation of your people both here and around the world has begun.”
Simeon had embraced God’s healing for himself and so he could face death happily, knowing that the very purpose of his life had been fulfilled, and that every dream he had had for his time on earth had come true. He had seen this baby, and it was enough; he had held this baby, and his soul was now at rest and ready for whatever comes next.
As for us, we have no idea what comes next. God has granted me thirty-one Christmases thus far, and I have no reason to doubt that I will live to see thirty-two. But who knows? Who knows where we will be next Christmas, and what the state of our body and lives will be? Who knows what will happen in the next year in America, in the world, in our families, lives and homes? We simply don’t know.
And so, before this Christmas passes you by, embrace the Baby. Take him into your arms; gaze into the eyes of salvation; remember that these baby hands were formed for your healing, worked for your healing, healed for your healing, bled for your healing, were pierced for your healing. Remember that embracing this Baby—for all that means—is the purpose of your life, the very reason you were put here. Remember that in a sense, his hands are now your hands, and that you are a healer as certainly as he was.
And once you have embraced him, enjoy the sweet communion with him that Simeon enjoyed, both as he held him on this side of the River Jordan, and as he knelt at his feet and worshiped him on the other side of that great river. May God grant you a sweet 2009 of communion with the Baby of Bethlehem.
Jesus grants us healing both here and beyond.
Simeon served in the Temple and we read that he looked forward with steadfast heart to “the consolation of Israel.” He looked forward to the day when God would decisively break into the world on behalf of his people, and reconcile all people to Himself. When he saw Jesus, in the Spirit he knew that he was seeing the Messiah, the One he had waited to see all his life.
And he embraces this baby, this baby who has been the purpose of his whole life, and he essentially cries out to God, “I can now die happy. Because, God, I have seen your salvation; I have embraced and held him for myself, and I now know the consolation of your people both here and around the world has begun.”
Simeon had embraced God’s healing for himself and so he could face death happily, knowing that the very purpose of his life had been fulfilled, and that every dream he had had for his time on earth had come true. He had seen this baby, and it was enough; he had held this baby, and his soul was now at rest and ready for whatever comes next.
As for us, we have no idea what comes next. God has granted me thirty-one Christmases thus far, and I have no reason to doubt that I will live to see thirty-two. But who knows? Who knows where we will be next Christmas, and what the state of our body and lives will be? Who knows what will happen in the next year in America, in the world, in our families, lives and homes? We simply don’t know.
And so, before this Christmas passes you by, embrace the Baby. Take him into your arms; gaze into the eyes of salvation; remember that these baby hands were formed for your healing, worked for your healing, healed for your healing, bled for your healing, were pierced for your healing. Remember that embracing this Baby—for all that means—is the purpose of your life, the very reason you were put here. Remember that in a sense, his hands are now your hands, and that you are a healer as certainly as he was.
And once you have embraced him, enjoy the sweet communion with him that Simeon enjoyed, both as he held him on this side of the River Jordan, and as he knelt at his feet and worshiped him on the other side of that great river. May God grant you a sweet 2009 of communion with the Baby of Bethlehem.
posted by Michael Jordan at 6:00 AM
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