When you hear the words “Ready for Christmas,” you may think of having all the gifts bought, wrapped and dinner prepared, but that is not the focus of Christmas. In Luke 2:22-2:38, the Christmas story is nearing its end when we are introduced to Simeon and Anna. Both of these individuals were waiting for the Messiah – Jesus. There are three spiritual truths I’d like to point out that will help you be truly “Ready” for Christmas.
Be a marveler. When Joseph and Mary tried to process everything that was happening, verse 33 says that they marveled at what was said about Jesus. According to the dictionary, to become a marveler is to be filled with wonder, astonishment, and surprise.
Are you a marveler this Christmas? Or, are you too caught up in the busyness and stress of the season? Have you been running around because of the Holidays, or are you taking the time to make Christmas a “holy” day? Has Christmas become too predictable, too familiar? Have you heard the Christmas story so much that it no longer astonishes you?
Here’s an idea that may help you recapture the marvel of Christmas. Pick one of the Christmas characters and put yourself in their sandals. Imagine what it must have been like to witness the Christmas story first hand. Go ahead; pick one — Mary, Joseph, the Shepherds, Simeon, Anna, or the Wise Men.
Be a mover. Take a look at verse 27: “And he came by the Spirit into the Temple” Now drop down to verse 38: “And she coming in that instant likewise gave thanks unto the Lord…”
Both Simeon and Anna were movers. When the Holy Spirit prompted them to move, they didn’t sit still. I wonder what would have happened if they had not responded? Actually, every one of the Christmas characters responded to the Spirit’s leading ¬ with the exception of Herod:
Mary was ready to move when she said to the angel, “be it unto me according to they word.” (Luke 1:38)
Joseph demonstrated that he was a mover when he woke up from his dream and “…did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife.” (Matthew 1:24)
The Shepherds were movers as well when they said, “let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass…” (Luke 2:15)
The wise men moved, “we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.”
Friend, when God prompts you to do something, then you need to do it. It might mean salvation for some of you. It might mean full surrender for others of you. Or, maybe the Spirit wants you to be more involved in serving people. Are you sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s Moving in your life? Are you a mover? Are you willing to move?
Be a messenger. Interestingly, as we work at becoming marvelers, we can’t help but become movers. That leads us to the final step from this passage — be a messenger. Notice verse 38 again: “…and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.”
God wants each one of us to be messengers of the Christmas story. This is the story that the whole world needs to hear “A Savior is born!” Let’s share the message of Christmas, it’s about JESUS!
Friends, in a nutshell, Christmas is a marvelous, moving, message! How can we not find what we’ve been looking for? And, how can we keep quiet about it?