Usually,
we anticipate the Christmas season saying that “Christmas is around the
corner.”
Well,
now we can farewell the Christmas season saying that “Christmas is just about
to turn right and disappear around the next corner.”
Yet,
the story of the Jesus’ birth will stay with us for longer…forever?
An
important part of Luke’s story is Jesus’ presentation at the Temple.
At
the Temple Joseph and Mary were greeted by Simeon, who was ”…waiting for the consolation of Israel…” (Luke 2:25).
“Sovereign Lord, as you
have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen
your salvation…”
(Luke 2:29, 30).
At
the Temple still, there was Anna. “Coming
up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the
child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem” (Luke
2:38).
Also…
“Joseph of Arimathea, a
prominent member of the Council, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of
God, went boldly to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body” (Mark 15:42).
“…but we had hoped
that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the
third day since all this took place” (Luke 24:21).
These
verses point to the fact that there was “something” that kept people waiting.
We don’t know how many…but there were people waiting.
What
was it that kept them waiting? The promise of redemption.
The
prophets of previous times were looking into the future, getting glimpses of
what was to come. “The Redeemer will come
to Zion, to those in Jacob who repent of their sins…” declares the
LORD” (Isaiah 59:20).
But
there was more than that to God’s promise of redemption, because the promise
was made even before the covenant with Abraham.
The “seed of the woman” will crush the head of the serpent! This is the “original” promise of redemption! Emanuel! God with us!