Longing for Christmas

We know that the angel of the Lord visited Mary and Joseph to announce the impending birth. Others received notice of this event as well. A Temple Priest, named Zacharias received a visit from the angel as well and others in the Temple were aware of and waiting for the arrival of the Messiah, the long awaited redeemer and salvation of Israel.

There are three psalms (or songs) recorded in Luke 1 & 2. Each of these songs reveals to us that the Jewish people were waiting expectantly for the appearance of their Messiah, the Redeemer promised by God...

I. Mary’s Song

We’ll start with Mary’s song, recorded in Luke 1:46-55…

It is not surprising that Mary was the first to know about the impending birth of Jesus. As she waited for his birth, she praised the lord and spoke out a hymn that we know as the Magnificat, or Mary’s Song...

Luke 1:46–55 CSB

46 And Mary said: My soul magnifies the Lord, 47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 48 because he has looked with favor on the humble condition of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed, 49 because the Mighty One has done great things for me, and his name is holy. 50 His mercy is from generation to generation on those who fear him. 51 He has done a mighty deed with his arm; he has scattered the proud because of the thoughts of their hearts; 52 he has toppled the mighty from their thrones and exalted the lowly. 53 He has satisfied the hungry with good things and sent the rich away empty. 54 He has helped his servant Israel, remembering his mercy 55 to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he spoke to our ancestors.

Mary knew the Scripture—our Old Testament—and quoted from it in her song. There are many references to the psalms and to Hannah’s song, from 1 Samuel 2:1-10. Mary was clearly pensive and weighed all of these things happening to her in the light of scripture.

Even though this birth made Mary’s situation difficult, she turned to God and praised him for what he was doing for a cause greater than herself. Mary knew—perhaps better than any of us—God’s great works and she knew that she was giving birth to salvation for herself, for all of Israel, and for all of us who believe in Christ as savior and Lord.

Mary was filled with the Spirit of the Lord and the Word of the Lord, which resulted in her bringing praise to the Lord.

II. Zacharias’ Prophecy at the Birth of John

Additionally, there was a priest, name Zacharias, father to John the Baptist, husband to Mary’s sister Elizabeth, and uncle to Jesus, who learned of the coming Messiah.

Zacharias received a visit from the angel, Gabriel, while he was performing his duties in the temple. The angel Gabriel told Zacharias of the birth of his son, John, and told him that John would become the prophet who prepares the way for the coming Messiah. It is not mentioned that he was told about Jesus, but he knew what his son’s role would be in preparing the way for the coming Messiah. As a proof to Zacharias of God’s word, the angel tied his tongue and would not allow him to speak at all until John was born. At the birth, Zacharias spoke another prophecy about his son and about the Messiah.

Luke 1:68–79 CSB

68 Blessed is the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has visited and provided redemption for his people. 69 He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David, 70 just as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets in ancient times; 71 salvation from our enemies and from the hand of those who hate us. 72 He has dealt mercifully with our ancestors and remembered his holy covenant— 73 the oath that he swore to our father Abraham. He has given us the privilege, 74 since we have been rescued from the hand of our enemies, to serve him without fear 75 in holiness and righteousness in his presence all our days. 76 And you, child, will be called a prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, 77 to give his people knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins. 78 Because of our God’s merciful compassion, the dawn from on high will visit us 79 to shine on those who live in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.

Zacharias’ prophetic psalm spoke about the freedom and redemption of the people of Israel. It speaks of the salvation that will come to Israel through the hand of the Messiah and it speaks of victorious battles. These battles are yet to be won and will come at Christ’s return, when their error is revealed to them and they accept their true Messiah.

III. The Baby Jesus in the Temple

This next song occurs after the birth of Christ, but really reveals the hearts and minds of the righteous and devout people of God during the time that Jesus was born.

Mary and Joseph followed the practice of their tradition and took baby Jesus to the Temple so that he could be circumcised according to the practice of the Mosaic Law.

As Christian disciples today we know that we have been set free from the heavy burden of the Mosaic Law, but it was Jesus that released us from that burden and it was important that he fulfill the purposes of the Law.

Messiah: Born Under the Law

As the Messiah, Jesus was born under the Law - Galatians 4:4-5 (Paul testifying to Jesus’ Sonship of God)

Galatians 4:4–5 CSB

4 When the time came to completion, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.

Paul made the point here that Jesus was born under the law and Jesus himself said that he would fulfill the Law...

Matthew 5:17–18 CSB

17 “Don’t think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to abolish but to fulfill. 18 For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or one stroke of a letter will pass away from the law until all things are accomplished.

Jesus made a point of promoting the authority of the Law of God, which was given to Moses—that’s why we call it the Mosaic Law.

Matthew 5:19 CSB

19 Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commands and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven. But whoever does and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

While all the prophets of the Old Testament promoted the Law of God in their own way, they always stated that the Law would remain...

Isaiah 55:10–11 CSB

10 For just as rain and snow fall from heaven and do not return there without saturating the earth and making it germinate and sprout, and providing seed to sow and food to eat, 11 so my word that comes from my mouth will not return to me empty, but it will accomplish what I please and will prosper in what I send it to do.”

It wouldn’t make sense for Jesus to forsake something that had been established in the Jewish custom and tradition. However he said that he came to fulfill this law. The Apostle Paul speaks to this saying that this provides for us a path of righteousness...

Romans 10:4 CSB

4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes,

While all the versions in English that I looked at say that “Christ is the end of the law” this word τέλος (telos) means that Jesus is the goal of the law. One writer said that he is the “culmination of the law.” All of the predictions of the prophets regarding the Messiah were pointing to Jesus Christ and these prophecies came to fruition in him. The holy standard of the Law was upheld to perfection by Christ.

Jesus fulfilled the purpose of the ceremonial laws with his death on the cross and provided for a New Testament and a new law to be established.

There was no longer a need for temple priests because there was no need for a sacrifice. In fact, there was no need for the Temple because free and unfettered access to God was granted to us through the gift of salvation.

There was no need for the priests, because each one of us who believe in Christ has become a holy priest. 1 Pet 2:9

1 Peter 2:9 CSB

9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his possession, so that you may proclaim the praises of the one who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

There was no need for a sacrifice, because Christ was sacrificed on the cross for the salvation of our sins and each one who believes in him is joined together with him in his suffering and have become a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God. Rom 12:1

Romans 12:1 CSB

1 Therefore, brothers and sisters, in view of the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your true worship.

There was no need for a temple, because our bodies became a temple of the Holy Spirit. 1 Cor 6:19

1 Corinthians 6:19 CSB

19 Don’t you know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God? You are not your own,

Messiah: Obedient to the Law

Furthermore, Jesus was obedient according to the law...

He obeyed God’s Law perfectly - John 8:45-46 (Jesus arguing with the Jews about his father.)

John 8:45–46 CSB

45 Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe me. 46 Who among you can convict me of sin? If I am telling the truth, why don’t you believe me?

He bore the curse of the Law for us - Galatians 3:10-14

Galatians 3:10–14 CSB

10 For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse, because it is written, Everyone who does not do everything written in the book of the law is cursed. 11 Now it is clear that no one is justified before God by the law, because the righteous will live by faith. 12 But the law is not based on faith; instead, the one who does these things will live by them. 13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, because it is written, Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree. 14 The purpose was that the blessing of Abraham would come to the Gentiles by Christ Jesus, so that we could receive the promised Spirit through faith.

He set us free from the bondage of the Law - Galatians 5:1

Galatians 5:1 CSB

1 For freedom, Christ set us free. Stand firm, then, and don’t submit again to a yoke of slavery.

Simeon - A Devout Jew Waiting for the Messiah

We only know of Simeon because of this passage. But we can see a great description of him here in verse 25...

Luke 2:25 CSB

25 There was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, looking forward to Israel’s consolation, and the Holy Spirit was on him.

We see a LOT of examples of religious figures during the narrative about Jesus’ ministry and hardly any of them are flattering. But here we find a man in the temple who is not described as religious, but righteous. He is not described as devious, but devout. The word here says that he was “looking forward to Israel’s consolation.”

I saw this and seeing the word consolation, make me ask the question, “What is Israel’s consolation?”

Of course, I immediately thought of the consolation prize that goes to one who does not win in a contest. In other words, it goes to the loser.

I also note that the word is rooted in the verb “to console,” which happens “to alleviate grief or to take away a sense of loss or trouble.”

This is a reference to the Messiah, who brings consolation of Israel. He was the long expected redeemer of Israel, who was to remove sorrow from and bring comfort to the nation.

Many generations of Jews had waited and watched expectantly for the Messiah’s arrival. All of this waiting had endured through great suffering and slavery of the Jewish people.

Isaiah 40:1–2 CSB

1 “Comfort, comfort my people,” says your God. 2 “Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and announce to her that her time of hard service is over, her iniquity has been pardoned, and she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins.”

Luke also revealed in his writing that Simeon was filled with the Holy Spirit. We often see examples of the Spirit coming upon righteous people before he was sent to us by the Father. Simeon was close to God and able to keep himself holy and righteous before the Lord. He had apparently been promised by God that he would not die without seeing the Messiah. And when the opportunity came, he recognized the Messiah in the baby boy, Jesus.

It may be that Simeon was the mohel, the rabbi or religious leader, who performed the ceremony for new babies. This is not verified by scripture, but we know that Mary and Joseph brought their baby, Jesus, to the temple for his circumcision.

At the moment Simeon touched the Messiah, he recognized who he was. He broke out into praises for God...

Luke 2:28–32 CSB

28 Simeon took him up in his arms, praised God, and said, 29 Now, Master, you can dismiss your servant in peace, as you promised. 30 For my eyes have seen your salvation. 31 You have prepared it in the presence of all peoples— 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles and glory to your people Israel.

a worship hymn that “blessed God” (v 28) for keeping His promise and sending the Messiah

a salvation hymn (v 30)

missionary hymn for the Gentiles (v 32)

I find it most interesting that Simeon recognized the Messiah’s role before the Gentiles and how he would shine a light for the whole world to see the glory of God.

While Mary and Joseph were amazed, and perhaps a bit surprised, at Simeon’s words, he explained to them in prophetic words...

Luke 2:34–35 CSB

34 Then Simeon blessed them and told his mother Mary, “Indeed, this child is destined to cause the fall and rise of many in Israel and to be a sign that will be opposed— 35 and a sword will pierce your own soul—that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”

There are three illustrative images here in this prophecy:

Stone - the child is described as being the cause for many to fall and the cause for many to rise up in Israel, as a stone can cause one to stumble. The entire nation of Israel “stumbled over the stumbling stone” (Rom 9:32) when they rejected the Messiah. But it was also prophesied that the Messiah would be a “rejected cornerstone” and can also be used to build up and edify the nation. But he would be a rejected cornerstone, as prophesied.

Sign - the word “sign” here indicates “a miracle” and Simeon said that he would be “a sign that will be opposed.” While Jesus was opposed during his time of earthly ministry, he has also been rejected by millions more. The most important question that determines the eternal fate of men and women is the question “What do you think of the Messiah? The Christ?” (Matt 22:42).

Sword - finally Simeon described the Messiah as a sword. This was a special word from the Lord for Mary regarding the sorrow that she would bear as the mother to the Messiah. The imagery here is of a very large sword and the language indicates that the sword would cut, continuously piercing her soul.

But the promise here was that they thoughts and motives of people would be revealed by their encounter with the Messiah. How has the Messiah impacted your life? What do you think of the Messiah?

Anna - A Prophetess Longing for the Messiah

Finally we have this encounter with the Prophetess Anna, in the temple...

Luke 2:36–38 CSB

36 There was also a prophetess, Anna, a daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was well along in years, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37 and was a widow for eighty-four years. She did not leave the temple, serving God night and day with fasting and prayers. 38 At that very moment, she came up and began to thank God and to speak about him to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.

We don’t see Anna’s words, but we do see her response at catching a glimpse of the Messiah. She immediately recognized the baby, through divine means, and began to praise God and proclaim the Good News that the Messiah had come to provide for the redemption of Israel.

IV. Our Longing for Christmas

We can see here in the words of these holy people, who were waiting on their Redeemer, that there was an intense longing for his arrival.

We today have a similar longing for those who are waiting on Christ’s return. There is a longing for Christmas that goes beyond the yearning of boys and girls for their toys. This is the whole point of the Advent season that all Christian brothers and sisters celebrate leading up to Christmas. We are reminded that, we too are longing for something. We are longing for a new return of the Messiah, to come and take us up to join him in the air.

What are you longing for this Christmas?

Are you thinking of the gifts that you will give or what you will receive?

Are you thinking about the needs of others this Christmas?

Are you thinking of sharing the love of Jesus Christ, our Messiah, with others this Christmas?

Are you longing for the return of Christ?

I would be remiss if I didn’t ask you, has Christ even entered into your thoughts this Christmas?

What do you think of the Messiah? Have you accepted the great gift of salvation that he brought into the world?

If you are here today or watching us online and you don’t know this Christ, this Messiah, I would invite you to respond to this Good News that came to the world so long ago. The greatest gift of all is found in that baby born and laid in a manger. To accept him means to turn from your sin and acknowledge him as the Lord of your life. You can give that sin over to him and accept the forgiveness of the Father by claiming your belief in Jesus Christ. Won’t you make that choice today to follow Jesus?

We all have a longing for Christmas. Though perhaps it is not Christmas, but the Messiah that causes the yearning in our hearts.

As you ponder these things, I would invite you to respond in a way that God is prompting you. I’ll be here at the front while you respond. If you would like to pray at the altar or come to ask me questions about how to have this gift of salvation, please respond today.

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