The People Who Met the Baby Jesus [Christmas]

This passage sheds light on the encounters of various people surrounding the birth of Jesus Christ. It tells of Mary, who learned of the Messiah's coming through the angel's announcement; of the shepherds, who were keeping watch over their sheep through the night, heard the angel's news, and came to find him; and of the wise men, who followed a star from the east to come and worship Jesus. It also records the confession of Simeon, who, led by the Holy Spirit, met the baby Jesus in the temple.

The sermon points out the attitude these people had in common. Through a baby lying in a humble manger, they believed God's plan of salvation and offered worship and praise. In Simeon's case in particular, it explains that a life that went beyond a Law-centered faith, walked with the Holy Spirit, and put God first is what led him in the end to meet the Messiah. This shows how much more important it is to walk with the Holy Spirit, enjoying freedom in the truth, than to keep blind religious rituals.

The sermon emphasizes that when believers live righteous and devout lives like Simeon, they will meet Christ. It also points out that this faith must lead on to a holy hope that waits for his second coming. The sermon invites the reader to look back on whether their faith walks with the Holy Spirit and is centered on God, or is bound by the Law.