God's character revealed in these lessons

First off, here's wishing you Christians the merriest of Christmases. May this season of revelations bring great joy to you. Next, to the Jewish people, God's chosen people, may this season of lights bring you great joy and new understanding of our Lord.

Each year at Christmastime, I turn to Luke ch. 2 to read the Christmas story. I ALWAYS read the Christmas story of Luke Ch. 2 in the King James Version, aka KJV, because it uses "the King's English." On such a royal night when Christ left Heaven to live amongst us (Immanuel, God with us), it's only fitting that we read the greatest story ever told in the version that uses the King's English.

The Christ's Story

Luke Ch. 2, KJV

The Birth of Christ

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

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

And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

And 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 Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

Think of that. The King of kings and Lord of lords wasn't born in a castle filled with royal trappings. Instead, Christ was born in meager settings. Another examle of Christ being God with us.

Before we speed past this section, the Christchild wasn't greeted by the Sanhedrin, the holy people of Israel. He was welcomed to Earth by lowly shepherds. Initially, these shepherds were frightened, only to be calmed. It says that "the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid." Imagine what it was like to come face-to-face with the Heavenly host. It's a guarantee that I'd be afraid. Who wouldn't be? The swing of emotion must've been incredible, going from being frightened to being ecstatic.

Simeon's blessing

And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.

And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ.

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 lettest 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.

And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him.

And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against;

(Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.

God, through the Holy Spirit, told Simeon to visit the temple so that the Lord would keep His promise to Simeon that Simeon wouldn't see death "before he had seen the Lord's Christ." With that promise came another promise, this time, a heartbreaking promise:

(Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.

Mary was a very young lady who dealt with incredible swings of emotions. Some swings were just a preview of the grief she'd feel at the foot of that cruel Cross of Calvary. She wasn't sinless but she was an incredible mother for Jesus. It's fair to say that Simeon WAS A longsuffering believer in Christ. God promised Simeon that he'd live long enough to see Christ. That promise was fulfilled.

God let it be known that Christ had been born by sending His angel and His Heavenly host to shepherds as they watched their flocks by night. Based on the biblical record, it was the most spectacular sight in human history.

When it was time for Mary and Joseph to take Jesus to the temple,God let Simeon know through the Holy Spirit that the Christchild had entered the temple. As promised, God fulfilled His promise to Simeon quietly. There wsan't great fanfare like there'd been the night that Christ was born. Still, it was a moving moment. This Christmas season, make time to watch for Christ's blessings. After all, they don't call this 'the season of miracles' for nothing.