Expectations of Christmas
by Pastor Kirby Williams
Text: Luke 2:25
Date: 12/15/2010
Christmas is a time of expectation.
Children are filled with wonder and expectation, to see if their favorite toys will end up under the trees in their living rooms. Families look forward in expectation to sweet reunions as loved ones return home for the holidays. People in northern climates live in expectation of a fresh snow fall and perhaps a white Christmas. All of us hope in the expectation that a New Year will bring joy, peace, and prosperity.
But none of these represent the greatest expectation of Christmas. I don't know of anyone who typifies this expectation better than Simeon of ancient Jerusalem. We don't meet him in Luke's Gospel until about a month after Christmas, but nonetheless-- we know that on Christmas Eve he was living in expectation of the advent of the Christ child. When the Shekinah glory of God pierced the deep darkness over Bethlehem and shone on the shepherds in the fields, and the angels sang their song of joy that Peace and God's good pleasure had finally come to the earth; wherever Simeon was, we know he was living in expectation of this great event.
Luke 2:25 "Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him."
Simeon represented a small but faithful group of Old Testament saints who were patiently waiting for God to break His 400-year silence and once again bless His people, by sending His long-promised Messiah. Little did Simeon know that God Himself would take human form that night in the person of Jesus Christ to fulfill His great covenantal promises. The old man was living in expectation of the culmination of God's redemptive purpose. When it finally happened, and He saw Jesus in the temple, we read that he erupted in joyous praise...
Luke 2:29,30 “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation... a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.”
His expectations had been fulfilled in the coming of the Messiah, and the old man could die in peace.
Simeon, however, is just a flickering reflection of the extent and degree of the great expectation of Christmas. All Creation waited impatiently for the culmination of God's redemptive plan. Heaven was about to boil over! The single greatest event of all Redemptive History until that point was about to happen. It would mean the curse of Adam redeemed. It would be the fulfillment of God's promise to Noah that redemption would come and that sin would be forgiven. It was to be the embodiment of God's promise to Abraham that all the world would be blessed through him. It would be the perfect fulfillment of the Mosaic law, and the promise to David that a mighty King would come to usher in heaven's throne forever. All of Creation was straining in expectation for the coming of Jesus Christ.
And here it is Christmas again, and once more we find ourselves living in expectation. Expectation that God will bring revival to our land and that many will come to know Christ in our churches and communities. Expectation that He will work His excellent work in us, and that we will bear good fruit for Him. Expectation that He has gone to prepare a place for us, and that He is coming again in power and glory to take us home.
It is my prayer for you that your expectations for this Christmas season will only be fulfilled in Him! Gloria in excelsis Deo!
-pastor kirby
