Randy Davis
Christmas heroes come in all shapes and sizes. Who is your favorite?
There’s Clarence, the angel-in-training from one of my favorite Christmas stories, “It’s a Wonderful Life.” Or maybe Kevin McCallister, the eight-year-old whiz-kid defending his house in “Home Alone.” Or perhaps it’s Lt. John McClane in the epic Christmas movie “Die Hard” (although personally, I stand with those who believe “Die Hard” is not a Christmas movie).
Beyond the Christmas movie list, there are other heroes of note, like Little Debbie, a benefactor who gave us the Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cake.
But let’s narrow the field and go with heroes from the biblical narrative of Jesus’ birth. So, who is your favorite? Is it the Virgin Mary? Joseph? The shepherds keeping watch over their flock by night? Or maybe the wise men? All great picks.
Here’s mine: Simeon, the priest.
Mary and Joseph arrived at the temple to offer a sacrificial lamb, turtledoves, or two young pigeons for the purification ceremony according to Leviticus 12. While there, Simeon was at his post when they arrived with their baby. And then one of the greatest stories in Scripture unfolded.
Three things stand out about Simeon that offer a portrait of so many pastors and ministry leaders I’ve met across Tennessee.
First, he was honorable in his character. Luke 2:25 describes him as “just and devout” and that “the Holy Spirit was upon him.” He had an intimate relationship with the God of this universe. He walked with the Lord. The old man had a Holy Ghost spring in his step and a holy glow on his face.
Secondly, Simeon had hope in his heart. “It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ” (Luke 2:26). What an incredible promise. The Lord told him he would not die before he had literally seen Jesus. He lived and faithfully served in a spiritually dry and politically oppressive period of history. Nothing great was happening at his “church.” Why even bother day after day, week after week, with the same mundane routine?
Here’s why: Simeon had a word from God. Jesus was coming. I can’t imagine the kind of joyful countenance that promise produced in the life of this faithful servant. His motivation to stay at it and show up at the temple every day is the same motivation that encourages all of us to carry on with our assignments. “He came by the Spirit into the temple” (Luke 2:27).
He took his marching orders every day from the Lord, and he lived and breathed a life filled with the Holy Spirit of God. The dead, cold environment and heavy circumstances in which he lived and served did not govern him. Instead, he was ruled by the Spirit in mind and soul.
There was a third thing about Simeon. He confidently had heaven in his future. It’s good to live with the reality that “this ain’t all there is.” One of the sweetest verses of Scripture is Luke 2:28-30: “He (Simeon) took (Jesus) up in his arms and blessed God and said: ‘Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation.’ ”
The faithful servant lived a godly life, ministered steadfastly, and was ready to meet the Lord. Surely when he arrived in God’s presence, he heard what every Christ-follower desires to hear: “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
Simeon, thank you for being such an incredible model. May we all honor God with our character, hope in Christ and live confidently in the hope of our salvation.
From Jeanne, my family, and our TBMB team, Merry Christmas!
It is a joy to be with you on this journey. B&R
