Dear Christian friends:

"Did you have a nice Christmas?" people often ask us. I asked various persons that question, also. One boy answered, "No, I did not receive on thing that I wanted." Another boy answered, "Yes, I got a radio, a basketball and a hockey stick, the three things that I wanted." Another person answered, "No, we did not have a nice Christmas, my husband left home, and he left us no money for gifts. He spoiled our Christmas."

From these answers of various people we see that most people judge their Christmas happiness depending on gifts, eats and other things like that. Some were satisfied and some were not satisfied. Should we judge our Christmas on gifts?

But really all of these people should have been satisfied with Christmas, gifts or no gifts. Nobody should be dissatisfied with Christmas. If we have the right idea about what makes a satisfying Christmas we will be satisfied.

Our text tells us about a man who was very satisfied with Christmas. I think we all can learn a lot from this man. So today I want to speak to you about

The mans name was Simeon. The Bible does not tell us very much about him except that he was an old man and that he was "good and just." He was honest and kind to his neighbors, and tried to love people and help them in their need and troubles. Also it says he was "devout." Devout means that he thanked God daily, honored Him and tried to please Him. He said good things about God, praised Him at home, in the city and at church.

Our text also says that He waited for the "consolation of Israel", the promised Savior, and the Holy Spirit was upon Him. God's Spirit lived in His heart and told Him that soon, before he died he would see the God's promised Savior.

Now Mary and Joseph, one month after Jesus' birth, brought the Baby into the temple to present Him unto the Lord as Jewish law required. While Mary and Joseph were in the temple doing their duty the Holy Spirit led old Simeon into the Temple also and whispered to Him that Mary's Baby was the promised Savior from God. Old Simeon was very happy. He came to Mary and took the Baby Jesus in his arms and praised God, saying, "Lord now let your servant depart in peace, as You have promised. Because my eyes have seen your salvation, which You have prepared for all people; a Light for the gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel."

Old Simeon was very satisfied with Christmas. His heart was filled with joy and peace and he was ready to die. "Let your servant depart (die) with peace." He was not afraid to die. He wanted to die and go be forever with His God. He believed that God's Word was true when it promises peace and joy and glory in heaven.

St. Paul had the same faith as Simeon. He said, "I have a desire to depart and be with Christ which is far better. Simeon accepted the fact that everything here on earth quickly dies and fades away. He knew that man cannot find true satisfaction and peace from gifts, or eats money and other earthly things. He knew that man is happy only if He is at peace with God and a friend of God. The Bible says Abraham was a friend of God. Abraham was a happy peaceful man.

So you and I will be satisfied with Christmas only if we understand these things like Simeon did. Christmas satisfaction and happiness does not depend on gifts or eats or decorations. It depends on whether you have peace with God or not.

After the angel told the shepherds, "Unto you is born a Savior, Christ the Lord," many angels came and sang, "Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to men."

But how do we get this peace with God? God is holy and perfect and displeased with sin and sinners. He is just and must punish sin. Our conscience blames us and we are afraid of God. How can we be His friend? Simeon tells us how and why. He says, "Let me die with peace; because my eyes have seen your salvation which you have prepared for all people. In His arms old Simeon held God's Savior, the Baby Jesus, born of Mary.

The Holy Spirit helped him to see into the future and He prophesied how Mary's heart will break when she will see many people reject Him and crucify Him. But old Simeon knew that while Jesus will suffer shame and death upon the cross He will suffer for all man's sins and win forgiveness and peace for all the world.

Simeon's Christmas peace and satisfaction is established on God's promises in Jesus Christ. So He has no sadness or fear. Even at 80 years of age He enjoyed Christmas very, very, much.

Sometimes we hear people say, "Christmas is for children. When I was a child I enjoyed Christmas, but now I don't care for it anymore." Unbelievers talk like that! Christmas is for all people children, young and old, rich or poor. You can be satisfied with Christmas even if you did not receive one gift or Christmas card.

May God give us His Holy Spirit as He gave it to old Simeon so that we will always be satisfied with Christmas.

Amen.