What are you looking for this Christmas?

It's a few days before Christmas. What part of this season are you most excited to experience? Is there a family tradition you only experience during this holiday season? Are there any relatives you can't wait to see? Is there a gift you're pretty sure is going to land in your hands? There's something to be said for the pure anticipation that goes along with the Christmas season.

In the Christmas story we read in the Bible, a man named Simeon is overlooked quite often. But he fully understood "anticipation." He had been tipped off by God's Spirit that he would not die until he had seen the Messiah. We don't know who long he had been holding on to this promise. But I have to imagine that holding on to that promise for just one day would be enough to overwhelm anyone with anticipation.

Let's assume for a moment that he had this information for quite some time. Everyday he arose wondering if that day would be the day he would witness prophecy being fulfilled. Or would it be just another, ordinary day? How do you prepare for a day like that? You just can't block out time on your calendar for that appointment. I think a bigger question is how do you prepare for the day after? What do you do after you've seen the promised Savior?



Simeon's response makes it quite clear:

"Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: 'Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel."

For Simeon, his life was a success; nothing else mattered. He had seen Jesus.

My hope is that you have seen Jesus. Obviously not in the same way that Simeon had, but in your circumstances, relationships and everywhere in between. Not as a religious figure, but a real person who loves you and wants to know you personally. That's His desire. He wants us to discover Him this Christmas. Even if you already know Him, He wants you to know Him more.

So I'll ask again, what are you looking for this Christmas? Try looking for Jesus because He's looking for you.*

2 Chronicles 16:9 - "For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him."