The Meaning of Christmas

I am pleased to write that I am feeling much better now, just a sniffle left from what I consider the worst illness I have ever had! To be fair, it was a needed bit of time with myself to make peace with myself & God over some recent events in my life. So even in the tough times, good came out of it which remind me of this verse:-

Romans 8:28
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Tonight in PCY Alun spoke about the reason we celebrate Christmas and it reminded me of one of my favourite passages in the Bible.

Luke 2:25-40 
Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required,  Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:
 “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,
   you may now dismiss your servant in peace.
For my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you have prepared in the sight of all nations:
a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
 and the glory of your people Israel.”
 
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.”
 
There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.

When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth. And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him.

I love these elderly people, who have lived their lives serving God, getting to see the One who was Promised to Israel since Adam & Eve and their joy at meeting Him. As an aside, I love elderly people and think they get a really raw deal and deserve so much more. They also have so much to offer us with their life experiences. If you know an elderly person, go and see them! I know I should see the ones in my life more often.

Anyhow, the names Simeon & Anna are SO significant and kind of sum up the reason for Christmas.

Simeon means "to hear" which links to the laws of Old Testament Israel -
Deuteronomy 5:1
[ The Ten Commandments ] Moses summoned all Israel and said: Hear, Israel, the decrees and laws I declare in your hearing today. Learn them and be sure to follow them.

When Simeon holds Jesus he declares himself ready to die. This is symbolic as Jesus brought an end to the legalism of Old Testament Israel.

Anna means 'Grace' in Hebrew. She is the very next to hold Him and it is symbolic because no longer is Salvation through obeying the law but through the gift of God's Grace, through Jesus dying on the cross for our sins, for all of those who put their trust in Him.

Whatever gifts we get for Christmas, you surely can't do any better than that!?!