Celebrating Christ's Birth/Anticipating His Return

As children, Christmas is the most exciting time of year as we anticipate opening the presents under the tree. But as adults, we lose that excitement and sense of anticipation. To recapture it, this sermon focuses on the true meaning of Christmas as seen through the eyes of an Old Testament, spiritually sensitive godly man by the name of Simeon. Simeon was looking forward to the consolation of Israel which was the redemption which Messiah would bring. When he saw the infant Jesus and held Him in his arms, Simeon saw SALVATION personified. But he saw much more, for he also viewed both the triumph and the tragedy surrounding the savior. Jesus indeed would be a light to the Gentiles and the glory of Israel. But He would also be a divider of the nation, rather than a unifier. Instead of being embraced by all, Jesus would be rejected. And his rejection would cause Mary great pain. Simeon looked past the cradle and saw the cross. We look past the cross to see the cradle. But we also look forward in anticipation of our own consolation-- which is the soon return of Jesus Christ! That's our blessed hope-- the glorious appearance of Christ for us.