as children, we can probably remember the joy & anticipation that came each year in waiting for...

As children, we can probably remember

the joy & anticipation that came each year in waiting for Christmas.For many, that feeling remains…even if it’s a few relaxing days off from school or work.

During this Sermon Series, we will be looking at the theme of “Waiting”

and how it runs throughout the Christmas Story; as well as how this theme relates to our “stories” today.

From a 1st Century Jewish person’s perspective, they would be waiting in hopefulness (or drifting into despair)

about the coming (or “advent”) of the Messiah….God’s chosen/anointed One

to save and redeem His people.This figure’s arrival had been prophesied

throughout the Old Testament.

As Christians, we believe that this Messiah (also known as Christ) has come in the name of Jesus; whose

birth we celebrate at Christmas.During Jesus’ life, death, and

resurrection = 44 prophecies fulfilled

As huge of an event as the coming of the Messiah was for

Israel…and the world, the Christmas Story

personalizes this story of waiting in the form of Simeon the Priest and the Prophetess Anna at Jerusalem.

Isaiah 40: 1-2 1 “Comfort, comfort my people,

says your God.2 Speak tenderly to Jerusalem,

and proclaim to herthat her hard service has been

completed, that her sin has been paid for, that she has received from

the LORD’s Hand double for all her sins.”

Isaiah 52: 9-10 9 “Burst into songs of joy together,

you ruins of Jerusalem,for the LORD has comforted his people,

He has redeemed Jerusalem.10 The LORD will lay bare His holy arm

in the sight of all the nations,and all the ends of the earth

will see the salvation of our God.

Luke 2: 22-35

Simeon the PriestMeets

Mary & Joseph with the

newborn Jesusin Jerusalem

Simeon is able to recognize the Messiah when He appears and

is able to prophesy fully about His future,

all due to Simeon’s close connection

to God.

Close relationship with God = Clarity

As much as the Messiah will be

“for” Israel; Jesus’ life & message

will challenge their stubborn hearts

in such a way that they will reject

him and eventually execute Him.

Luke 2: 36-38

Anna (another with a close and clear

connection to God) prophesies to the

new parents and the Jerusalem crowd:

“Our waiting is over!The Messiah is here!”

Isaiah 8:14“He will be a holy place;

for both Israel and Judah, He will bea stone that causes people to stumble

and a rock that makes them fall.And for the people of Jerusalem,

He will be a trap and a snare.”

Despite Anna’s public claims about Jesus’ identity and future… no one worshiped

Him that day. As Simeon predicted, many more Jews would reject Jesus as their Messiah than believe in Him.

Why would they do that? Why would we?

Part of Israel’s and our problem is misunderstanding God’s

“comforting” goodness towards us:* This does not mean we will be free from

pain & will receive everything we want, but that we’ll have peace on our journey.

It is important for us also to know that the Messiah’s work isn’t over… and that Jesus’ “2nd Advent”

will be the fulfillment of many of the

prophecies the Jews longed for during

Jesus’ time on Earth.

“Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus”

Come, thou long-expected Jesus, born to set thy people free;

from our fears and sins release us, let us find our rest in thee.

Israel's strength and consolation, hope of all the earth thou art;

dear desire of every nation, joy of every longing heart.