Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to the sons of Israel, saying: ‘When a woman gives birth and bears a male child, then she shall be unclean for seven days, as in the days of her menstruation she shall be unclean. On the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised. Then she shall remain in the blood of her purification for thirty-three days; she shall not touch any consecrated thing, nor enter the sanctuary until the days of her purification are completed. ... ‘When the days of her purification are completed, for a son or for a daughter, she shall bring to the priest at the doorway of the tent of meeting a one year old lamb for a burnt offering and a young pigeon or a turtledove for a sin offering. Then he shall offer it before the LORD and make atonement for her, and she shall be cleansed from the flow of her blood. This is the law for her who bears a child, whether a male or a female. But if she cannot afford a lamb, then she shall take two turtledoves or two young pigeons, the one for a burnt offering and the other for a sin offering; and the priest shall make atonement for her, and she will be clean.’”
Leviticus 12:1-8
We know that Jesus was not actually born on December 25th, or even in December for that matter. Most likely, He was born during the Feast of Booths which typically falls in late September or early October on our calendars. So, it was most likely around early to mid November two-thousand some years ago that Mary and Joseph brought their newborn son to Jerusalem to be presented.
And when the days for their purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought Him up to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “EVERY firstborn MALE THAT OPENS THE WOMB SHALL BE CALLED HOLY TO THE LORD”), and to offer a sacrifice according to what was said in the Law of the Lord, “A PAIR OF TURTLEDOVES OR TWO YOUNG PIGEONS.” And there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. And he came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to carry out for Him the custom of the Law, then he took Him into his arms, and blessed God, and said, “Now Lord, You are releasing Your bond-servant to depart in peace, According to Your word; For my eyes have seen Your salvation, Which You have prepared in the presence of all peoples, A LIGHT OF REVELATION TO THE GENTILES, And the glory of Your people Israel.” And His father and mother were amazed at the things which were being said about Him. And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, this Child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and for a sign to be opposed— and a sword will pierce even your own soul—to the end that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.” And there was a prophetess, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years and had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple, serving night and day with fastings and prayers. At that very moment she came up and began giving thanks to God, and continued to speak of Him to all those who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem. Luke 2:22-38
Simeon and Anna were both present in the temple at the time Jesus was brought there. Simeon was led to the temple by the Holy Spirit, and Anna served daily in the temple. Both prophesied about Jesus, and the role he would play in the redemption of the Jews. Simeon had specific words to speak to Mary and Joseph, and Anna revealed Jesus true nature as the Messiah to other Jews. Both were led by the Spirit in making these pronouncements about the infant Christ.
Simeon stated that Jesus would be ”A LIGHT OF REVELATION TO THE GENTILES.” This is important especially to us as Christians and the Church because it proclaims the fact that all mankind was included in God’s plan for redemption, not just His chosen people the Jews. It is also interesting to note that Simeon mentions gentiles before mentioning Israel (Jews). This may possibly hint at that fact that the Jews end up rejecting Jesus, and instead salvation is offered to gentiles, ushering in the Church age for 2000 years. It is after the rapture, when the Church age is completed (the fullness of the gentiles Romans 11:25), that God’s focus returns the Jews and they at that time see the “redemption of Israel/Jerusalem”.
But, let’s not forget Simeon’s other prophecy concerning Jesus, especially in light of the times we are living in: “Behold, this Child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and for a sign to be opposed— and a sword will pierce even your own soul—to the end that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.” Jesus is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel. He is for a sign to be opposed, to the end that thoughts may be revealed.
This reminds me of Jesus’ own words from Matthew 10:34: “Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.” To believe in Christ the Messiah means that you will be opposed, certainly by Satan and his demons, and often by those who reject the Lord. There will be times when you feel you are falling, that you are opposed on every side. However, know and remember, there is redemption in Christ. As we head into this season of Thanksgiving and Joy over the birth of the Lord, we are reminded there is victory in Jesus. We know how the story of mankind ends.... Christ rules over everything, God’s plan for redemption is completed, we are made complete and dwell with the Lord forever, AMEN.
