Luke 2:1-25
In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth.
7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
14“Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”
15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.”
16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger.
17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
21 And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
22 And when the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”) 24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.”
25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.
8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
14“Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”
15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.”
16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger.
17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
21 And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
22 And when the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”) 24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.”
25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.
He was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb
Father God cares very much about the events surrounding unborn Jesus, the birth - more than the childhood of Jesus. So different than when we consider our own childhoods or those of our children.
All the announcing of God's Will has been much more told by - yes - the Holy Spirit. Making the birth of Jesus rather spectacular.
Holiness or human perspective, Jesus said worship in Spirit and Truth. In Truth, Simeon is holy because he recognizes Simeon is the one in the being blessed category. And Simeon acknowledges this. Simeon wants Jesus to live His purpose. And is helping His Parents to accomplish the raising of Jesus.
Jesus encounters a similar name. Simon of Cyrene on Good Friday.
Matthew 27
31 After they had mocked Him, they removed the robe and put His own clothes back on Him. Then they led Him away to crucify Him. 32 Along the way they found a man from Cyrene, named Simon, and they forced him to carry the cross of Jesus. 33And when they came to a place called Golgotha, which means The Place of the Skull
Mark 15:21
Simon "the father of Alexander and Rufus"
It's been suggested Rufus mentioned by Paul in Romans 16:13 is the son of Simon of Cyrene.
A burial cave in the Kidron Valley discovered in 1941 by E. L. Sukenik, belonging to Cyrenian Jews and dating before AD 70, was found to have an ossuary inscribed twice in Greek "Alexander son of Simon." It cannot, however, be certain that this refers to the same person.
What would tie this together?
Simeon wanted Mary and Joseph to have reassurance in all things work together for God for those who Love the Lord and work according to His Purpose. Simon was not merely being polite - Simeon was providing a Godly path for many to travel. Furthering the Word and Work of the Holy Spirit.
Simon was forced to help Jesus. And we find out - only with faith - Jesus touched life of this man and his children began to walk with faith.
Works of God - point to God.
The difference with the Gospels telling of the preparation for God's child are different than your typical birth - huge events are planned with the Birth of God's Only Son. For the Purpose of Increasing God Himself. When God is pointing in a direction - He is pointing for the path to increase down to not just the people involved - but future generations to have this Faith, Hope and Love. The path looks narrow, and God carries this very, very far to the hills and highways of Heaven.
And because this is God's Holy Work - this is what we can know to be true.
"Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”
Why is this important today? When we have to decide something - we can decide upon what our soul tells us God wants us to do. Reading the Word of God is reassuring. Father God tells us Himself - The Holy Spirit is Comfort.
Abba, our Father,
We thank You for Your Goodness. Jesus is the Light of the World. Jesus is the Light of mankind and this is the priority. Jesus.
Jesus please for my loved ones and the people You have given me. And our prayers circle the globe. Jesus is the Prince of Peace. Your Word says You have the earth and the fullness thereof. We give You Thanks to place our cares with You, Abba, in the Name of Jesus. Amen.
♔ Lord Jesus Saves †
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