FULL & FAITHFUL
CHRISTMAS SERIES #4: SIMEON & ANNA
INTRO: Have you ever heard of the 12 Days of Christmas? Of course you have. I used to think that the 12 days of Christmas had some type of inner meaning developed with specific intent that was used to help young people like myself wait until Christmas better. Not true.
Actually, the 12 days of Christmas begin on the day after Christmas, and go for 12 days (December 26-January 6), so it actually begins after Christmas on the Canadian holiday of boxing day (and it used to be the annual Blues-Black Hawks game, I am not sure if they still play it on that day or not).
1. SIMEON (FULL OF THE SPIRIT)
BIBLE VERSE: Luke 2:22-35
22When the time of their purification according to the Law of Moses had been completed, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23(as it is written in the Law of the Lord, "Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord"[b]), 24and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: "a pair of doves or two young pigeons."[c]
25Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, 28Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:
29"Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,
you now dismiss your servant in peace.
30For my eyes have seen your salvation,
31which you have prepared in the sight of all people,
32a light for revelation to the Gentiles
and for glory to your people Israel."
33The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. 34Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: "This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, 35so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too."
A. FULL OF THE SPIRIT: We must not forget the importance of the Holy Spirit. Please allow me to explain to those who want a dose of how the Spirit may make us work and live our lives.
Wal-Mart Cart Example: So I am shopping at Wal-Mart, bringing my items out to my van in the rain, load up my kids, throw the food in the trunk…gentle with the eggs, then race to get back in my car. Then, there it is, the shopping cart, all by itself. I want to leave, but the Spirit tugs…put away the cart, put away the cart. So you get out in the rain, push the cart up to the store, actually grab another one on the way, get back in the car, soaked, start up your car, and that is when the same spirit that just ordered your heart to do something tells you…well done. That’s one example of how the Holy Spirit moves, if we let him.
In this Case: The topic is much more sincere. The Holy Spirit is prevalent in Simeon’s life (which is unusual by the way, the Holy Spirit really enters in to people after the Resurrection, but for some reason Simeon has it, as well as Zechariah & Elizabeth, John the Baptist’s parents, Luke 1:41/1:67). The topic is NOT ABOUT A WAL-MART CART. THE TOPIC IS THE SON OF GOD IN LIVING FORM!!! Can you imagine living close enough to God to sense or even be told you will see the savior face to face. Wow.
B. MINE EYES HAVE SEEN
Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord;
he is trampling out the vintage
where the grapes of wrath are stored;
he hath loosed the fateful lightning
of his terrible swift sword;
his truth is marching on.
Refrain: Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
His truth is marching on.
This song of course is an American hero song in which the Lord tramples his enemies. And that is what Christ did—he conquered!
Does Anyone Know How We Got Christmas on December 25th?
First off, Christ was not born in December (uhhhhh). He was born when shepherds are in the field watching their sheep—which is fall. Anyhoo, there was a pagan holiday on December 25th right around the Winter Solstice. Now, there are a lot of rumors, guesses, and a bunch of stuff associated with it. But essentially, Solis Invicti was the holiday meaning “holiday of the unconquered Sun.”
BUT JESUS, CAME TO CONQUER, TO CONQUER SIN. So it was placed on the 25th because Christ won.
Cool huh?
C. THE OTHER SIDE OF THE STORY: Along with great joy, there is another message. And that is one of death and tragedy and heartache.
Spoken to Mary: Simeon speaks directly to Mary (notice, Scripture says Mary not Joseph, no exact reason why but some scholars seem to think perhaps Simeon was like a N.T. Melchezidek who already knew that Joseph would perish prior to seeing the torturous crucifixtion).
LET ME ASK YOU A QUESTION: IF YOU GOD TOLD YOU TOMORROW THAT………………………… YOU ARE GOING TO SAVE A SCHOOL BUS OF CHILDREN, BUT DIE A TORTUROUS DEATH, WOULD YOU SHOW UP AT THE SITE OF THE SCHOOL BUS CRASH (let a discussion go here a bit).
The Sword will Pierce Your Own Soul: Mary was told that because of this child, you are going to go through some of the greatest horrors the world has ever seen. How is your faith? How is your walk? How is your commitment? How…?
2. ANNA (FAITHFUL TO GOD)
BIBLE VERSE: Luke 2:36-38
36There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37and then was a widow until she was eighty-four.[e] She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. 38Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.
39When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth. 40And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him.
A. GREAT LOSS: Let’s guess on Anna’s life shall we.
Married: probably around age 15 (remember they married young back then).
Widowed: age 22
Sees Jesus: age 84
Difference: 62 years “alone”
And alone back then to many meant you were cursed by God.
NOW, HERE IS THE TOUGH QUESTION, HAVE ANY OF YOU HAD SOMETHING REALLY BAD HAPPEN TO YOU?
HAS ANYBODY HAD TO GO THROUGH A GREAT LOSS?
DID YOU REMAIN FAITHFUL TO CHRIST DURING THE CRISIS?
And in a different note, I know there are some very aged people out there still praying to see their wife/spouse/parent come to know Christ. Wait becomes weight, but we must persevere.
B. WORSHIPPED DAY & NIGHT
How Do We Worship Day and Night? Allow a discussion here. The answer I am looking for is to always be in a spirit of prayer, talking to the Lord all the time.
C. A TIME OF PEACE: Regardless of what Christmas is, or who these people are or were. Christmas this year in this time of civilization, it is a time of peace. Here is a telling emotional fact that occurred some years ago in the last century.
CHRISTMAS TRUCE
It was the winter of 1914, hardened German soldiers were living
in their dreaded World War I trenches upon the first advent of winter in
a war that was about to become the most hostile the world had ever
known. Despite the pain of cold, wind, rain, and inclement weather,
despite the barbed wire, landmines, machine guns, and deadly poison gas,
the German army began to do something…something special. They decorated
their trench for Christmas. With some small evenly cut trees with a
handful of lit candles, the German troops began what millions in their
nation had done for years on December 24th, prepare for the coming of
the Lord.
Just a couple of hundred feet away, in a strategically drawn
trench by the enemies France and England, singing could be heard. Stille
Nacht, otherwise known as Silent Night, was being sung so loud that the
Allied forces were overcome with joy. Upon hearing the German army
singing out Christmas Carols, the Brits longing for easier days in the
hills surrounding London, Wales, or Wherever also began to sing. At
first, there was friendly competition based on volume, until both sides
sang in unison, each in their native tongue.
What happened next was unprecedented in the annals of war
history. Ignoring the direct orders to find the enemy army and destroy
it, both sides ventured out of their trenches and celebrated Christmas,
together. Standing in “No Man’s Land,” not far from the Ypre River in
Belgium, both sides exchanged handshakes rather than bullets. They gave
each other gifts, jam, chocolate, other items. At one front the men
engaged in a friendly game of soccer using their rifles as stand up
goals. As these two Christian nations followed their commanders’ orders
to fight a war based on meaningless land and political prestige, the
soldiers worshipped the Lord.
“Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel,
praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth
peace to men on whom his favor rests.’ When the angels had left them and
gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let’s go to
Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told
us about.’ So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby,
who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the
word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who
heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary
treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The
shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they
had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told,” as it is
written in Luke chapter 2.
For many, 2009 was a tough year. It was for my family. And
though we may not be living in a trench surrounded by enemy gunfire, at
times it may feel so. Though there is no magical prayer for the
evaporation of pain, there is a savior, his name is Jesus. Perhaps we
could learn a lesson from the wary World War I soldier, a lesson that
teaches us that in times of great trial, we too should worship the Lord.
On the night of December 24th, 1914, there was no gunfire, there
were no bombs, no poison gas, and for just a brief period of time, no
pain. Amidst great hardship and anguish, both sides put aside their
years of aggression to worship the Lord Jesus Christ. It truly was a
Silent Night.
NAME: _______________________
FULL & FAITHFUL
CHRISTMAS SERIES #4: SIMEON & ANNA
INTRO:
1. ______________________ (FULL OF THE SPIRIT)
BIBLE VERSE: Luke 2:22-35
A. ____________________________________
Wal-Mart Cart Example:
B. ____________________________________
December 25th:
C. ____________________________________
2. ANNA (FAITHFUL TO GOD)
BIBLE VERSE: Luke 2:36-38
36There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband ___________________ years after her marriage, 37and then was a widow until she was __________________. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. 38Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.
39When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth. 40And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him.
A. ___________________________________
Do the Math:
B. ___________________________________
C. ___________________________________
Christmas Truce: