"I Have Seen Your Salvation,"

Only two individuals, in all of Israel, were truly living lives of Messianic expectation. Simeon and a Prophetess named Anna.

Think of it. You have lived a lifetime. A long life and you were told that one day, before you die, you will see the child that will free your people of their sins and transform the land into one of newness of life. That you will live to see with your own eyes, the Christ, the anointed one. The one foretold by Moses and the Prophets of old.

Simeon's long awaited day had finally arrived. What was spoken by the Holy Spirit to his heart, so long ago, has finally come to be. The moment truly has arrived. The excitement that he must have felt when he laid eyes upon Jesus in the arms of his mother Mary.

As Simeon took Him into his own arms and held him, looking back at him were the eyes of God.

As he held him he spoke and the ears of both Mary and Joseph heard the following >>>>

Luke 2:28-38(AMP)

[Simeon] took Him up in his arms and praised and thanked God and said,

And now, Lord, You are releasing Your servant to depart (leave this world) in peace, according to Your word. For with my [own] eyes I have seen Your Salvation, [Isa. 52:10.]

Which You have ordained and prepared before (in the presence of) all peoples, A Light for revelation to the Gentiles [to disclose what was before unknown] and [to bring] praise and honor and glory to Your people Israel. [Isa. 42:6; 49:6.] And His [legal] father and [His] mother were marveling at what was said about Him. And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary His mother, Behold, this Child is appointed and destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is spoken against–[Isa. 8:14, 15.] And a sword will pierce through your own soul also–that the secret thoughts and purposes of many hearts may be brought out and disclosed. And there was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old, having lived with her husband seven years from her maidenhood, [Josh. 19:24.] And as a widow even for eighty-four years. She did not go out from the temple enclosure, but was worshiping night and day with fasting and prayer. And she too came up at that same hour, and she returned thanks to God and talked of [Jesus] to all who were looking for the redemption (deliverance) of Jerusalem.

Of all holidays we celebrate as a day of remembrance and acknowledgement, the day we call “Christ-mas”... what a glorious day!

Merry Christmas and may God's face shine upon all who seek him and believe!

-Brent