Paul Baloche - Christmas Worship DevotionsSample

Glorious

“Glorious! My eyes have seen the glory of the Lord...”

Do you remember the story of Simeon?

“At that time there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon. He was righteous and devout and was eagerly waiting for the Messiah to come and rescue Israel. The Holy Spirit was upon him and had revealed to him that he would not die until he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. That day the Spirit led him to the Temple. So when Mary and Joseph came to present the baby Jesus to the Lord as the law required, Simeon was there.” (Luke 2:25-28)

Can you imagine waiting your whole life for the fulfillment of a promise? And then, after your eyes have become weak from searching the scriptures and your knees have grown tired from kneeling in prayer, the Lord suddenly says, “Today, Simeon. He is here.”

How many of us would have endured that long period of waiting without losing hope, losing faith or losing interest? Waiting seems to be the greatest weakness of modern-day believers, yet this old man endured as seeing Him Who is unseen. And the reward for such great patience was to hold the Promise whose name was Jesus.

“He took the child in his arms and praised God, saying, 'Sovereign Lord, now let Your servant die in peace...I have seen Your salvation, which You have prepared for all people. He is a light to reveal God to the nations, and He is the glory of Your people Israel!" (Luke 2:29-32)

The joy rising in that old man must have lit up the sky over Jerusalem that day! All those years of prayer and fasting and crying out to the Lord had just been answered, and his lifetime of spiritual travail had just been fulfilled. The symphony playing in Simeon's ancient heart had finally reached its crescendo, and he could now rest in peace.

But the old man had one more word of cautious wisdom to share:

“This child is destined to cause many in Israel to fall, but He will be a joy to many others. He has been sent as a sign from God, but many will oppose him. As a result, the deepest thoughts of many hearts will be revealed.” (Luke 2:34-35)

In this scripture, Simeon is telling us why the celebration of the birth of Jesus has been scorned and rejected by so many. To those of us who love the Lord and long for His return, this season brings hope. But to those who despise Him and fear the revealing of their hardened hearts, this season brings despair. Every December we can look at faces all around us and see those who are being saved, and those who are perishing. Those who are alive in God, and those who are dead in sin.

Brothers and sisters, let those of us who are alive this Christmas share our divine hope with those who are dead. Let us store not our treasure in boxes, bags or gift cards, but let us store our treasure in the hearts of human beings.

As we do this, our eyes will more fully see the glory of the Lord, because His banqueting table is waiting to be revealed.

The candles have been lit for the lost, the wine has been poured for the wounded, the bread has been baked for the broken, and the seats have been saved for the sad. This year, let's open the door and let them come in from the cold.