"But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people. For today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.'" Luke 2:10-11
Every year around this time, we frequently hear the admonition to remember the true meaning of Christmas. How is this meaning defined? Some will say that we celebrate the birth of Jesus, yet still miss how profound that miracle really was and how it affects all people not only today but for all eternity.
The birth of Immanuel—God with us—set in motion events that would secure our salvation. Though He lived a perfect life, Jesus bore the penalty of our sin, purchasing salvation for all who would repent and believe in Him. On the cross he crushed the head of the serpent, and on the third day He conquered death.
In Luke 2, we see a picture of rejoicing in the assurance of salvation. On the eighth day, Joseph and Mary took Jesus to the temple where they met a man named Simeon, who had received a revelation of the Spirit that he "would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ" (v. 26). Simeon took Jesus into his arms and said "my eyes have seen Your salvation" (v. 30), as Joseph and Mary marveled at all that was being said. He told Mary that "a sword will pierce your own soul as well" (v. 35), looking ahead to Jesus' death on the cross. Anna also came up and began giving thanks to God, and continued to speak of Jesus to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem (v. 38).
Simeon and Anna believed, and rejoiced, that salvation had arrived. This immense blessing, completely undeserved by us, is worthy of our meditation and awe during the Christmas season.
Originally published in our December 2023 Mission Messenger.