Dear Christian friends:

A long time ago a man went from door to door soliciting contributions for a Christian orphanage. The solicitor happened to knock on the door of a weary, exasperated house wife and dared to ask her the usual question: "Would you like to give a donation to the orphanage? He didn't quite know what to think or say when she gave a big sigh of relief and said, "Yes, just wait a minute and I'll get them. They are ages two, three and four.

Christian parents do have moments of exasperation with their children, but nevertheless they recognize that their children are precious gifts of God.

God gave His Son, Jesus, to us and He did it by giving Him as a child. Simeon and Anna of our text recognized the child, Jesus, as the precious gift from God. They knew and believed that this child was the Messiah God had promised to Adam and Eve and to His people down through the ages. Knowing this and believing this they could live in the glow of Christ's birth. They show us how to make Christmas continue on and on, how to have its warmth and light throughout the New Year, throughout life, even through death and on into eternity. They show us about

I. This means that we rejoice in our salvation.

A. Simeon and Anna rejoiced in the salvation which the Christ Child brought.

1. They were true believers in the Messiah, the Christ. They did not hold to the misconceptions about the Messiah that many of the Israelites hold, especially the powerful religious leaders. They were looking for a military, political savior who could free them from Roman oppression and restore the glory of Israel as in the days of David and Solomon. Political power and material wealth were the bottom lines for them, not salvation from sin and death.

2. In contrast, Simeon and Anna, like others of God's elect in Israel, focused on God's promises to rescue His people from sin and eternal death. They were not much concerned about rescue from Roman tyranny.

a. Simeon, having been given a special revelation by God that he would not die until he had seen the Christ, immediately recognized Mary's baby when she brought Him into the temple. Simeon took the child from Mary's arms into his own, and then prayed the famous prayer which we today call "The Nunc Dimittis", which is often sung by Christians the world over after they have received Christ's body and blood in the Sacrament. (vv. 26-28)

b. Anna was among those elect of God who "looked for redemption in Jerusalem." (v. 38) She did not look for redemption from Roman tyranny, but for redemption from sin and the terrible consequences of sin, death, spiritual and eternal death.

Simeon, inspired by God, said it most beautifully for himself, for Anna and for all true believers: "Lord, now let your servant depart in peace according to your word. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared before the face of all people; a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel." (vv. 29-32) Having seen the Christ Child and having held Him in his arms and heart, Simeon is more than ready to accept temporal death and move up into eternal life and glory.

Transition: Both Simeon and Anna knew how to live in the glow of Christmas. They rejoiced in the eternal salvation which the Christ Child brought.

B. We, too, can rejoice in the eternal salvation which the Christ Child brought.

1. For He was born to conquer death for us and for all mankind.

A. All people are subject to death. St. Paul writes: "By one man (Adam) sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned." (Romans 5:12) Not just temporal, physical death is meant, but eternal, spiritual death is meant. If a man is not rescued from his spiritual death in this life, then he will suffer eternal death in the next life, which is often called hell. Eternal death is complete separation from God's goodness and grace. In this life the unbeliever, the spiritually dead, enjoys the mercy and goodness of God, for "He makes His sun to rise on the evil and on the good; He sends rain on the just and on the unjust." But hereafter no mercy no goodness of God will be shown to those in hell. However, God in great mercy and grace sent His Son. He was born of the Virgin Mary that He might become a real man and be able to take man's place under the law. (Galatians 4:4-6) He also needed to be and remain true God, so that His atonement might be sufficient to redeem all mankind. (Hebrews 10:12,14)

B. In his words to Mary here in our text, Simeon refers to Christ's future suffering and death when he prophecies: "Yea, a sword shall pierce our own soul also." (v. 35) The word "also" indicates that Mary, as well as Jesus, would suffer deep anguish of heart and soul. This is the first reference in Luke's Gospel to Christ's suffering and death.

2. Having been made sin for us and having paid our debt, Christ has freed us and all mankind from eternal death. Therefore, Paul could mock death and the grave, saying, "O death, where is your sting? O grave, where is victory?" (1 Corinthians 15:55-57) Christ Himself promises those who believe in Him eternal life for death. He said to Martha at the death of here brother Lazarus: "I am the resurrection and the life: he that believes in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: and whosoever lives and believes in me shall never die." (John 11:25-26) Jesus also said to Nicodemus: "God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

Summary: Like Simeon and Anna, we can rejoice in our salvation. We can sing "The Nunc Dimittis" holding the precious Christ Child in our arms and hearts. We can live in the glow of Christmas.

Transition: We not only rejoice in our salvation as we live in the glow of Christmas, but we also proclaim this salvation to others.

II. Both Simeon and Anna told others about the eternal salvation in the Christ Child.

A. Others were present when Simeon prophesied concerning the Christ Child. And they are still witnessing to us today through this very Gospel Lesson.

B. Christ has commanded us to be His witnesses in our world today. (Acts 1:8; Matthew 28:18-20)

1. Our witness is desperately needed. Many today, as in the days of Simeon and Anna, misunderstand about Christ. They see Him only as a helper for this present world, if they see Him at all. They see Him as One who inspires peace, goodwill and charity for a few weeks in December. They really don't see Him as the Savior from eternal death. They really don't know what it means to live in the glow of Christmas all year long, year after year and in the hour of death and forever and ever. They don't see how Christmas is related to Good Friday, Easter, the Ascension, and the Second Coming.

2. Jesus is counting on us to tell them! He has no voice but our voice. He has no resources but our resources which He owns and entrusts to us as His stewards. Dare we fail Him?

C. Things will happen when we witness of the real Christ Child.

1. Our text tells us that Simeon blessed Joseph and Mary and then said to them: "Behold, this Child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which is spoken against." (v. 34) Simeon is saying that some will believe in Christ, while others will not believe as the witnessing is done.

2. Some will not believe our witnessing.

a. Even when Jesus witnessed of Himself to Israel many rejected Him. John writes about this saying, "He was in the world and the world was made by Him, and the world knew Him not. He came unto His own, and His own received Him not." (John 1:10-11)

b. Also today many reject eternal salvation in Christ even though they would have Him for a temporal savior, a faith healer and a faith rewarder in this life on earth.

3. However, some do believe when the true, clear witness is given.

a. John says, "As many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name: which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of man, but of God." (John 1:12-13)

b. Also today some believe, confessing their sins and that they deserve eternal death, but they with God's grace trust Christ Jesus for everlasting life! What a miracle! "God who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, has shined in our hearts to give light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." (2 Corinthians 4:6)

Summary: Great things do happen when we faithfully, truthfully witness of Jesus Christ. Don't worry about the results, leave that to God! Don't play the numbers game! Just tell the truth! And tell it in love! God will give the increase or the decrease!

Conclusion: Let us live everyday of our lives in the glow of Christmas, rejoicing in our salvation and sharing the joy of salvation with others.

Amen