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The Christmas Story - Simeon Waits In the Temple - Part 11

12/23/2020

JOSEPH AND MARY BRING JESUS TO THE TEMPLE ACCORDING TO JEWISH LAW

MARY HANDS JESUS TO SIMEON WHO HAS WAITED IN THE TEMPLE FOR THE MESSIAH!

And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, "Lord, now let thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel." LUKE 2:27-32

THE HOLY SPIRIT HAS A PROMISE FOR SIMEON

The Holy Spirit had compelled Simeon to go to the Temple the very day Joseph, Mary and baby Jesus had arrived to present the Lord in obedience to Jewish law, Simeon was there and Mary very naturally handed him the baby as he took the baby into his arms, praising God!

"Lord God," he said, "now I can die content! For I have seen the Messiah, our Salvation just as the Holy Spirit promised me I would. I have seen the Savior you have given to the world! He is the Light that will shine brightly upon all nations, and he will be the glory of your people of Israel!

And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,
"Lord, now let thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel."
LUKE 2:27-32

THE HOLY SPIRIT HAS A PROMISE FOR SIMEON

The Holy Spirit had compelled Simeon to go to the Temple the very day Joseph, Mary and baby Jesus had arrived to present the Lord in obedience to Jewish law, Simeon was there and Mary very naturally handed him the baby as he took the baby into his arms, praising God!

"Lord God," he said, "now I can die content! For I have seen the Messiah, our Salvation just as the Holy Spirit promised me I would. I have seen the Savior you have given to the world! He is the Light that will shine brightly upon all nations, and he will be the glory of your people of Israel!

SIMEON CAN NOW DIE IN PEACE FOR HE HAS SEEN HIS SALVATION, HIS MESSIAH!

JOSEPH AND MARY ARE AMAZED AT SIMEON'S WORDS AS SIMEON GIVES JESUS BACK TO MARY!

BELOW:
(SPECIAL VIDEO OF JESUS PRESENTED AT THE TEMPLE)

The Presentation at the Temple

BELOW:
(SPECIAL MUSICAL VIDEO)

SIMEON'S SONG

"Now That I've Held Him In My Arms."
By: Michael Card

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The Christmas Story - Elizabeth - Part 1

12/9/2020

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There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years.
LUKE 1:5-7

A SPECIAL WOMAN OF GOD

As a wife, Elizabeth was childless... as a woman, she was ashamed.. as a believer, Elizabeth had faith and hope.

Yes, Elizabeth was the wife of a priest, but Zacharias was not one of the very important priests. Zacharias and Elizabeth lived in the hill country of Judea and Zacharias only served in the temple twice a year. It is even possible that he had never burned incense in the temple before this time.

In any event, Zacharias would have had to have an ordinary trade, just like anyone else in order to meet their needs. And, if Elizabeth gained any status from being the wife of a priest, it would have been overridden by comparison to her shame of being childless. Both Zacharias and Elizabeth were more ordinary people than not.

NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH GOD

Elizabeth was old and barren. She is known as the only wife of Zacharias and a relative of Mary. That might not seem like a big deal to us but, in her day she was kin to some poor country bumpkins of Galilee. We find Elizabeth's story in Luke 1, where the Christmas story begins.

Zacharias and Elizabeth were righteous in the sight of God. They walked blamelessly in all of God's requirements and commandments. I don't think the Bible says that about anyone else except maybe Job. With that comparison we see that God allows his most faithful people to live through some difficult challenges. We also see that their righteousness did not afford them any special gain or notice.

BLAMELESS BEFORE GOD

I'm sure the friends and neighbors of Zacharias and Elizabeth did not know that God had considered them blameless. All they knew was that Zacharias, was one of the older priests and his wife Elziabeth was barren. Most of them would have assumed that somehow this couple was being punished by God for some hidden sin.

We know just a little about Zacharias and his wife Elizabeth. They might have done all the right things, yet God withheld the greatest desire from them both. I'm sure they had both heard the stories of Sarah, Rebekah and Hanna but I don't think those stories were of any comfort. I wonder if well-meaning friends, told them these stories until they got sick of hearing them!

THEIR GREATEST DESIRE

Each of us at some point in our lives, have had "some kind of desire." Some of us ladies have indeed ached for children, while others longed for a husband or wife. And, while we are not blameless before the Lord, we look to God for help in those areas of our lives. We wait... day by day... month by month and even year by year... but, do we truly continue to trust God for the answers or are we trying to work things out on our own?

I am sure that on most days Elizabeth was full of faith for God's provision in her life. And while she served God cheerfully, she must have had days when the pain of being childless seeped into her heart. She was after-all human and like many of us, there must have been days when she wore her heart on her sleeve.

NEVER STOP BELIEVING

Still, God is there, and there is not a minute goes by that He does not think, "My child I do love you and I do have a plan for you! Don't lose hope my child, keep trusting, keep believing! I want only the best for you so allow me time, time to work out My will in your life! I am always looking for ordinary people, who truly love and trust me to do what's best in their lives."

We all have bad days! Days when our desires or dreams seem hopeless. I do know that if we press on, praying and believing, God will bring His best to each of us.

So keep believing! Keep trusting God for the answers to your prayers. Faith is a must for any Christian seeking to truly know the Lord. "Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God." - Corrie Ten Boom

BELOW:
O COME ALL YE FAITHFUL

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The Christmas Story - Elizabeth - Part 1

12/9/2020

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Judy A. Weltin
Author

My heart cries out for those who are hurting and those who are lost and do not know the Lord Jesus Christ as their Personal Savior. I want to show you the "Love of Jesus" & give you some skills to "Rise Above" any and all misery you may face on a daily basis.

The "Church in General" has and is... failing this world! We have grown complacent, with a mediocre attitude in our relationship with Christ Jesus!

When Jesus rose from the grave and after He ascended into heaven, He gave us the most powerful support & assistance we need to help us "rise above" our daily problems by giving us His Holy Spirit!

He also gave us "His Holy Word..." which is a blueprint or map of how to live in this world that is so full of pain and sin. Thru Christ Jesus, "His Holy Spirit" and "His Holy Word," we have the power, ability and the authority to change this world and its problems.

We as a church have to "wake up, repent and go back to our first love of Jesus" in order to "Be the church, Jesus Christ intended us to be!" I am so ready for REVIVAL, not just for myself but, in the church also! I want so much more of God and what He has for me and YOU!!!
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Feel free to contact me by using the contact page or emailing me at:
[email protected]
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May God Bless you as you read my blog! May the words help and inspire you to live your life fully in Jesus Christ!

Isaiah 55:6

Welcome to my blog! My prayer is we will all benefit by hearing what God is doing and find JOY in everyday life! Blessings....

The Christmas Story - Simeon Waits In the Temple - Part 11

The Christmas Story - Elizabeth - Part 1

The Christmas Story - Elizabeth - Part 1

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