Wednesday, January 5, 2010
Twelfth Christmas Day
Luke 2:33-35 The child's father and mother marveled at what was said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: "This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too."
SIMEON: SEES FROM CRADLE TO CROSS
The happiness and joy of Mary at the birth of her firstborn son would be darkened one day in the future. Some 30 years later a sword would pierce her soul when she would look up at Jesus hanging on a cross at Golgotha. Oh the pain and sorrow she would feel as her beloved Child is put to death! Surely Jesus would be "a sign spoken against."
That's where Christmas really ends up, isn't it? All the celebration and excitement of the birth gives way ever so soon to Lent and Good Friday -- because that's what Christmas was for. He came into the world to suffer and die. To bear our sins in His own body on the cross. To free us from condemnation and give us heaven.
As we come to the close of our Christmas celebration for this year, we would do well to remember again how Christmas leads to that cross. In fact, that is why we are so glad to greet the newborn King every 25th of December -- because He comes for us and for our redemption. In fact, if we neglect the cross in the Christmas tree, we will miss the real meaning of Christmas. Or if we think, "Well, the happiness is over until next year," then we ought to be mindful of the greater festival to come on April 24th.
Oh, may we keep and ponder in our mind
God's wondrous love in saving lost mankind!
Trace we the Babe, who hath retrieved our loss,
From His poor manger to His bitter cross,
Tread in His steps, assisted by His grace,
Till man's first heavenly state again takes place.
(The Lutheran Hymnal, 84:5)
