Day 15 of Our Christmas Devotional

Tues-Day 15

As we have notice previously that there is a reaction by the different groups that meet the Lord. When we examine the reaction of the shepherds and of Simeon and Anna we see that the theme of joy and rejoicing is expressed by them. The rejoicing is expressed in two different ways. We can see the same thought of worship that is expressed by the wise men but we learn of another reaction that is important for us to learn and do.

The reaction of the shepherds is learned as we read their visit to the manger:

Luke 2:15–20 (KJV 1900)

¹⁵And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Beth-lehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

¹⁶And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

¹⁷And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

¹⁸And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

¹⁹But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

²⁰And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

Two things are done by the shepherds when they come into the presence of the baby Jesus:

            1.         They return to the fields of Bethlehem "glorifying 

                        and praising God for all the things that they 

                        had heard and seen" (Vs. 20)

            2.         "They made known abroad the saying which 

                        was told them concerning the child" (Vs. 17)

What about the next group of Simeon and Anna? What do they do? Here is Simeon's response:

Luke 2:28–32 (KJV 1900)

²⁸Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,

²⁹Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart In peace, according to thy word:

³⁰For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,

³¹Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;

³²A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.

Now look at Anna's!

Luke 2:38 (KJV 1900)

³⁸And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.

Simeon response is similar yet he does a slight twist:

            1.         He takes the baby into his arms and blessed 

                        God...Vs 28

            2.         He does not tell anyone about the baby but 

                        does tell Mary what His purpose will be:

                        A.        He is a Savior (Vs. 30).

                        B.        He is a Savior for all people (Vs. 31).

                        C.        That people includes the gentiles (Vs. 32).

Now let's turn our attention to the response of Anna. The same two concepts are seen:

            1.         She also gives thanks likewise unto the Lord 

                        (Vs. 38).

            2.         She speaks of him to all them that looked for 

                        redemption in Jerusalem (Vs. 38).

Luke uses the word "likewise" in the phrase that speaks of her worship. That means "the same way" as Simeon perhaps even a reference to the shepherds!

All three, shepherds, Simeon and Anna,  respond to the Lord with worship! Anyone who comes into His presence must give Him worship though the giving of thanks as Anna and/or of giving glory and praise to God for what He has done!

However that's not all that they did after they came into the presence of the baby Jesus. They all begin to share to everyone that they came in contact with that the Messiah had come! Luke says that the shepherds told to everyone the sayings of the angels. What was that saying?

Luke 2:11 (KJV 1900)

¹¹For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

They repeated the message: The Savior has come! The Messiah is here!

Anna does same. She perceives that the baby is the Messiah! Her prayers had been answered! Her hopes where realized! But there is a except there is a slight difference. She will speak to those who were looking for deliverance for the people of God! Her information is too important to be thrown before individuals who are not looking for Messiah! She must share it with those who will value it! Her message would bring hope to those who were waiting patiently!

Remember when you enter into His presence you must worship! When you leave His presence you must tell others that He has come to deliver and release them from all sin!

The theme of Luke's writings are the same beginning with the birth story of Jesus in Luke 1-2 and concluding with Paul's imprisonment of Acts 28:30-31. They are:

            1.         When the Spirit come or you are in the presence 

                        of the Lord something begins to move.

            2.         Your responsibility is to witness to others that 

                        Jesus is alive and present to help all (Acts 1:8)!

Your Response:

Take time to slowly read and mediate on the thoughts that you have been reading. Examine yourself. When you are in the presence of God do you worship? Are church services social time or worship time for yourself? When you leave worship times at the church do you share with people the experience? When speaking of the events of your weekend to coworkers do you tell of the times of the Spirit you experienced or do you keep your mouth shut! Understand you have a responsibility to share what God has given to you! Challenge yourself to tell one person a day something good about God or what He has done in your life!