THINK TOGETHER
Why did Jesus come to earth?
READ TOGETHER
Most of God’s chosen people, the Israelites, didn’t get it. They didn’t understand the purpose of God’s hero (the Messiah) that he sent to earth. They thought that their Messiah would destroy all of their enemies such as the Romans who were ruling over them in many very mean ways. Or they thought that their Messiah would teach them how to be even better at obeying God’s laws. Both are wrong.
But not everyone got it wrong. A man named Simeon got it right. Simeon’s story is found in Luke’s gospel after the story of Jesus’ birth. When Jesus was just eight days old Mary and Joseph brought baby Jesus to the temple in Jerusalem to have him dedicated to God, and it is there that they met Simeon:
Luke 2: 25-32. 25Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout…and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, 28he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said, 29“Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; 30for my eyes have seen your salvation 31 that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, 32a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.”
Simeon got it right. When everyone else thought the Messiah would destroy their enemies and teach them the law, Simeon knew that the Messiah (Jesus) would destroy the law and teach them to love their enemies. That’s why Simeon called Jesus a light for the Gentiles, like the mean Romans. Did Simeon think that God wants to save the Romans. Yes. Because God wants to save everyone.
Simeon got it. Do you get it?
What do you think the birth of Jesus is about? Getting lots of presents. Nope. Christmas is about worshiping Jesus who ended the requirements of God’s law for us and then showed us how to love everyone. Everyone? Yes, everyone.
Because of Jesus we have seen the light of God’s salvation.
With Jesus we can be a light of his good news to everyone.
DO SOMETHING TOGETHER
Find a Christmas Eve service to attend. Is your church having one?
PRAY TOGETHER
Jesus, you came to save us all and to teach us to love everyone. Help me to make that the true meaning of Christmas this year. Amen.
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