​Would Mary and Joseph marvel at my response to their baby?

THE STORY OF SIMEON

I had the opportunity to teach our youth the story of Simeon this past weekend. I was no doubt moved by this story more than they were. You see, God promised Simeon he would see the Messiah before he died. Simeon was quite old, God had been silent about the promise for nearly 400 years, and Israel was more desperate than ever for this Savior, so I'm sure Simeon was hanging quite loosely to God's promise.

But there he is in the temple where Mary and Joseph bring the baby Jesus. Simeon looks in that baby's eyes and knows without a doubt God has delivered on his promise. I'd never read the next part before like I did this weekend - but it says the mother and father "marveled" at what Simeon said about the baby. I mean, come on, these are parents who'd talked with angels about their child and his significance, yet, somehow Simeon's response to seeing Him triggered a marveling response?

I was reminded that I get to be Simeon every single day. I have the chance to marvel at God coming through on that promise as if this old man was standing right there with Simeon. I get to dwell in the hope Simeon's response brings to God coming through on his promise again. And I also have to ask myself - would Mary and Joseph marvel at my response to their baby?

This Christmas season, let's all marvel a bit. Let's marvel at what seeing that baby in the manger meant the first time we laid eyes on it. Let's marvel at the significance of the promise we'll lay eyes on him again. For eternity.

(Luke 2:26-33)
And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said, “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word;for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,a light for revelation to the Gentiles,and for glory to your people Israel.”

And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him.