A Simple Christmas | A Simple Anticipation

LUKE 2:15-38 When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other,

“Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us

about.” 16 They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby,

lying in the manger.17 After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and

what the angel had said to them about this child. 18 All who heard the shepherds’ story were

astonished, 19 but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them

often. 20 The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had

heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them.

Jesus Is Presented in the Temple

21 Eight days later, when the baby was circumcised, he was named Jesus, the name given him

by the angel even before he was conceived.

22 Then it was time for their purification offering, as required by the law of Moses after the

birth of a child; so his parents took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord. 23 The law of

the Lord says, “If a woman’s first child is a boy, he must be dedicated to the Lord.” 24 So they

offered the sacrifice required in the law of the Lord—“either a pair of turtledoves or two

young pigeons.”

The Prophecy of Simeon

25 At that time there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon. He was righteous and devout

and was eagerly waiting for the Messiah to come and rescue Israel. The Holy Spirit was upon

him 26 and had revealed to him that he would not die until he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 

27 That day the Spirit led him to the Temple. So when Mary and Joseph came to present the

baby Jesus to the Lord as the law required, 28 Simeon was there. He took the child in his arms

and praised God, saying, 29 “Sovereign Lord, now let your servant die in peace, as you have

promised. 29 “Sovereign Lord, now let your servant die in peace, as you have promised.

30 I have seen your salvation, 31 which you have prepared for all people. 32 He is a light to

reveal God to the nations, and he is the glory of your people Israel!” 33 Jesus’ parents were

amazed at what was being said about him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them, and he said to Mary,

the baby’s mother, “This child is destined to cause many in Israel to fall, and many others to

rise. He has been sent as a sign from God, but many will oppose him. 35 As a result, the deepest

thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your very soul.”

The Prophecy of Anna

36 Anna, a prophet, was also there in the Temple. She was the daughter of Phanuel from the

tribe of Asher, and she was very old. Her husband died when they had been married only seven

years. 37 Then she lived as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the Temple but

stayed there day and night, worshiping God with fasting and prayer. 38 She came along just

as Simeon was talking with Mary and Joseph, and she began praising God. She talked about

the child to everyone who had been waiting expectantly for God to rescue Jerusalem.

SIMEON: ANTICIPATING COMFORT

ANNA: ANTICIPATING REDEMTION

3 THINGS WE SHOULD ANTICIPATE THIS CHRISTMAS?

1. ANTICIPATE A MIRACLE

Luke 2:33 They marveled at what was said about Jesus.

2. ANTICIPATE ACTION

Luke 2:27 “Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts.”

Luke 2:38 “Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God...”

Luke 2:38 Mary was ready to move when she said to the angel, “May it be to me as you have

said.”

Matthew 1:24 “...did what the angel of the Lord had commanded and took Mary home as his

wife.”

Luke 2:15 “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened.

Luke 2:34 “This child is destined to cause many in Israel to fall, and many others to rise. He

has been sent as a sign from God, but many will oppose him.

3. ANTICIPATE A RESPONSE

Luke 2:28 He took the child in his arms and praised God

Luke 2:38 “...She (ANNA) gave thanks to God

Matthew 2:10-11 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11 On coming to the house, they

saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him.