“An old man in the temple
Waiting in the courts
Waiting for the answer
To a promise”
The words of this song by Michael Card may sound familiar to some of you out there. It was one of my favourites growing up. Simeon whose name means ‘God has heard’, was the old prophet in the temple.
This just, devout man was told by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he sees the Lord’s Christ. Like Simeon many in Israel were waiting for the Messiah to come – their promise of salvation, of which the apostle Peter says, ‘of this salvation the prophets inquired and searched carefully.’ 1 Peter 1:10. But sadly many never saw the salvation of God, having died before the revlation of that promise.
But we are the inheritors of this promise – salvation is here. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son and on that holy night , the joy, the peace, the goodwill that echoed across the night sky from the choir of angels are still evidently contagious today and touches everyone – both Jew and Greek, male and female, bond and free.
I believe that God can use this. What an opportunity to be a blessing and to remember God’s grace that was so freely given to us. His salvation that would not just save of our souls but that which is all encompassing for the benefit of the whole man. He prepared salvation as a light to bring revelation to the Gentiles and the glory of His people Israel. Luke 2:31,32.
I choose to embrace this season and revel in all of it’s wonder and splendour because God has shown me His salvation–His Yeshua -The Lord saves and has given me the gift of eternal life, of His righteousness, of His grace. I go free.
Praise be to God Most High that unlike Simeon we are not only blessed to see the salvation of our God but to also enjoy the fulness of the salvation that God has prepared for us. So this Christmas celebrate the richness of your salvation – that is Christ.
Have a blessed Christmas and may you enjoy success in 2015.
