It’s a beautiful thing when longing for something unseen becomes a hope realized.

Christmas is about the day the visible image of the invisible God of creation was born.

The promised messiah discussed yesterday, had arrived. The waiting of many was met with the surreal experience of receiving the thing hoped for.

Those wise men in their excitement brought gifts to the young king and fell on their knees worshiping Him. The shepherds praised God for what they’d been told by the angels and seen when their eyes looked upon that little baby. Mary treasured up the things said about this child in her heart and pondered them. Just as God said it would happen, it did.

Word spread throughout the territory and waiting to meet the young family was a man named Simeon. He was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, filled with the Holy Spirit of God. Sometime before, God had revealed to Simeon that he would not die until he had seen Jesus, the Christ.

So, when he saw the baby, he praised God, saying:

“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

Not only did Simeon believe this little baby to be the promised messiah discussed by the prophets. He believed this child would be more than a political leader in Israel. This child was to be a light for ALL people, including gentiles (non-Jews) as revealed to him by the Spirit of God. This child would be the one to pay for the sins of man done against God.

Simeon had just seen the gift of all gifts in person, something only thousands of people throughout history can say. Yet it wasn’t at the moment he saw Jesus that he received Him as a gift – for Simeon had placed his faith in God’s salvation work long before this moment. He eagerly awaited the day to be able to see God’s salvation with his own eyes but had already taken this gift of life into his heart through faith.

Jesus went on to live a sinless life, performing miracles further proving that He was the one to which the old testament prophets pointed. His life was anything but glamorous however, as He was despised among men and ultimately crucified. Yet it was this crucifixion and subsequent resurrection that earned forgiveness for us. This is why Jesus is the greatest gift.

On this day of giving, it’s common sense that we need to unwrap that shiny present sitting under the tree in order to receive it. My hope and prayer is that you don’t leave the gift of Jesus under the tree, wrapped. Chances are, if you’re still reading at this point, you’ve at least picked up the package and placed it on your lap.

Unwrapping the package looks like this. Call upon the name of the Lord Jesus and you will be saved. Believe in your heart that Jesus is who He says He is (the son of God). Confess your sin to Him and repent, turning away from it towards God. Come to Him as you are, there’s no need to put on a front. He already knows everything about you and knew it all when He hung on the cross for you. We know that we are loved by Him through the historical event of Jesus’ death on the cross. We know that this payment for our sins was accepted by God the Father through His resurrection.

The waiting is over. The gift is here. Will you open it?

 

Prophecy of the messiah:                                                Fulfillment of prophecy:

Isaiah 7:14 – Born of a virgin, Immanuel                     Matthew 1:22 – Jesus born of a virgin

Micah 5:2 – Born in Bethlehem                                    Matthew 2:5,6 – Born in Bethlehem

Jeremiah 31:15 – Weeping in Ramah                          Matthew 2:17,18 – Weeping in Ramah

Hosea 11:1 – Called out of Egypt                                  Matthew 2:14,15 – Called out of Egypt

2 Samuel 7: 12-16 – Descendant of David                     Matthew 1:1 – Son of David

Isaiah 49:7, 53:3 – Hated/Nazarene                                Matthew 2:23 – Hated, a Nazarene

Isaiah 53: 4-6 – Crushed for our iniquities                   Matthew 8: 16, 17 – Savior, healer

Luke 9:22 – Suffer, die, rise again in three days          1 Corinthians 15:4 – Rose again