I See Your Salvation!

“There was a man in Jerusalem, Simeon, [who] was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said,

‘Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace,
    according to your word;
for my eyes have seen your salvation
    that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
    and for glory to your people Israel.’

“And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him.  And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, ‘Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.’” Luke 2:25-35

There is nothing like the welling praise that arises with the joy of salvation. Simeon- anointed, taught, and led by the Holy Spirit- expected the long-expected, and now held Him in his arms. Christ had come before his death as God had promised! Simeon saw in the babe Jesus the light and glory for the Jews and all the earth. His glistening eyes and captivated heart were riveted. Bless God! This is enough!

Then he blessed the Christ child’s parents, foretelling the sober and glorious truth about their son. And his words bless us as we acknowledge and gratefully exhale with the same recognition, I may now depart in peace because Christ has come. I have seen His salvation. Joy unspeakable! The Savior is here! Our ransom and rescue! Deliverer and Redeemer! How intently do we look at Jesus so we are satisfied in His presence? How well do we see and robustly rejoice in all that He is?

Jesus is enough. Near the end of life, however rich and long and fruitful, or barren and stretched and desolate and painful, only one thing matters, that we have held and seen and believed in Jesus. This is a message for our families, our neighbors, the world. Are we so enthralled with Jesus that we must, as the herald angels, speak His glory? Where do we announce His salvation so others can rest at peace? (1 John 1:1-3)

“Christ, by highest heaven adored,
Christ, the everlasting Lord,
late in time behold him come,
offspring of the Virgin’s womb:
veiled in flesh the Godhead see;
hail th’incarnate Deity,
pleased with us in flesh to dwell,
Jesus, our Immanuel.

Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and life to all he brings,
risen with healing in his wings.
Mild he lays his glory by,
born that we no more may die,
born to raise us from the earth,
born to give us second birth.

Hark! the herald angels sing,
‘Glory to the newborn King.'” ~Charles Wesley (1739)

Lord Jesus, may I clearly see and faithfully tell of Your great salvation. Merry Christmas, Savior!