If someone was to ask you, why did the Lord God Jesus, come in the likeness of man … or in other words, question the reason for Christmas, what would you say?
When Jesus was eight days old, he was named JESUS according to what God’s angel had told his mother Mary and soon after that, a just and devout man who was filled with the Holy Spirit of God, named Simeon and a prayerful prophetess who served God, named Anna, both made proclamations of who Jesus was and the purpose of his incarnation on earth with man as man.
Simeon said, that he had seen the salvation of God, who is the consolation of Israel, when he saw Jesus. Anna saw Jesus and proclaimed that he was the anticipated redemption in Jerusalem. In other words, Jesus came to save, console and redeem.
Christmas is about salvation that is seen i.e., salvation that is evident in Jesus, consolation of God’s people i.e., the church today and the redemption of all who believe and who look forward to a city of peace (Jerusalem), whose builder and maker is God himself (Hebrews 11:10).
Points to ponder:
Why Christmas? Because only with Christmas, is salvation, consolation and redemption even possible. Without Christ, there is no Christmas and without Christmas there is no salvation, consolation or redemption. In other word’s Jesus is the Savior, the Consoler, and Redeemer who has come. Has your eyes seen the salvation of God in Jesus? Have you experienced the consolation of God by Jesus? Have you experienced the redemption from death through Jesus?
Luke 2:21-39 (KJV)
21 And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was calledJesus, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
22 And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord;
23 (As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;)
24 And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.
25 And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.
26 And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.
27 And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,
28 Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,
29 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:
30 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,
31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;
32 A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.
33 And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him.
34 And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against;
35 (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.
36 And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity;
37 And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.
38 And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.
39 And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.
