Christmas Favor Series: Part 5
If there is one thing that really excites me it’s when
Christmas Day falls on a Sunday. Surely
the churches would be packed with thousands praising God, and having favor with
all the people as He added to the Body of Christ. How much more perfect could
it get, right?
On Christmas Day the carols of the birth of our Savior
were flooding the halls of the church. Entering the sanctuary the instruments
were silent as the voices of the Saints rang sweetly throughout the room. In harmony we sang, raised our hands to give
praise, prayerfully stood in agreement and attentively listened as the pastor
spoke of the timing of God in the delivery of the promised Messiah that would
come to save the world.
The service closed with the congregation partaking of
Holy Communion (The Lord’s Supper) in remembrance of a Savior who was born to
die that we may live. Slowly the
sanctuary emptied into the corridor as each congregant was given a parting
smile with words of encouragement from our earthly shepherd.
Welcome new friends this week from:
See if your city/state/country made the list.
New on DFB – Willemstad, Curaçao; Yaro, Western Division
& Suva, Central Division, Fiji; Trail, BC, Canada; Riyadh, Riyadh Region,
Saudi Arabia; Perosa Argentina, Piedmont, Italy; Diemen, Noord-Holland,
Netherlands; Ethiopia; Curacao; Kharkov, Kharkiv Oblast, Ukraine; Kikinda,
Serbia; Tel Aviv, Israel.
USA
– Albertville, Balleyton, Berlin, Boaz,
Cullman, Eva, Good Hope, Hanceville, Holly Pond, Hulaco, South Vinemont,
Walter, Welti & Wilmer, Alabama;
Ionia, Kentwood, Grand Haven, Montague, Muskegon, Ottawa Center, Shelby &
Whitehall, Michigan; Charleston, AR; Fort Myers, Ocala, Pensacola, Ponce Inlet
& Winter Haven, FL; Campbellsville, Panther & Phelps, KY; Cumberland
Center, ME; Asheboro, Greensboro, Jaars & Roxboro, NC; Oklahoma City,
Muskogee & Poteau, OK; Salem, OR; Folly Beach & Hartsville, SC; Collin,
Elmina, Houston, Sherman, McKinney & Prosper, TX; Farmington, UT; Auburn,
Jamestown, Mexico, Niskayuna & Rochester, NY; Bluefield & Maurertown,
VA.
I am so thankful for your visit and hope that you come
back each week to participate in the weekly challenges. God has been faithful and we expect His
Christmas favor to abound in the lives of those who chose to believe in
His Son, Jesus all year round.
You are welcome to leave comments or prayer requests below. All are private. I would love to hear from
you and how Daily Favor has worked in your life. Contact me by leaving a message in the box at
the bottom of this week’s post.
Don't miss out on this week's challenge (below).
The Woman in Red
My husband and I were about to leave the building when I
noticed the attractive woman who sat a few rows in front of us during the
service. She was a refined lady
elegantly dressed in a beautiful Christmas red sequined poinsettia blouse and a
slim line black skirt. Her blondish hair
was perfectly styled with poufy curls, and every strand was sprayed in place on
the head of this lovely lady of seventy plus odd years.
Turning around I walked over to her and spoke about how
lovely she was in her “Christmassy” attire.
Not two seconds went by when she grabbed me by the neck and gave a full
headlock hug, practically squeezing the stuffing out of me!
Boy was she strong for an older gal! I felt like a squirming cat trying to escape
the gripping wrapped arms of a human showing their affection a little too
vigorously.
As I tried to regain my stance, with a happy grin she
uttered, “Hardly seems like Christmas;
it’s like it’s already over.” That was it; she didn’t have anything else to
say. Now how should I respond to
her? I didn’t, but simply smiled and bid
her a Merry Christmas as I scampered toward the door.
Where was hubby through all this? When I told him what happened he said, “What lady?” Thanks for being there Hon!
Her statement left me a bit uneasy (or perhaps it was
trying to recoup air in my lungs …), but I soon forgot it after we got back to
the house.
December 26th, 2016
 |
| Someone is sharing the Christ-mas in their community. |
Christmas was over technically, but the season was still
in full swing … so I thought. In an
attempt to lengthen the holiday, the next day we decided to drive around town
to see the lights. Oh my, it was like
the lady from the church was speaking prophecy!
We drove down street after street, and almost all of the
Christmas lights and decorations were already down. The atmosphere was as if people just wanted
it over and had a “Let’s get on with the next thing” kind of attitude.
When we got home we turned on all our Christmas lights to
remind people that the hope and joy of Christmas not only came, but is still
here.
… and the song plays on …
Continuing in our Christmas Favor series, the celebration
in song doesn’t end with Mary, Joseph or the angels during the first Christmas
season. God moved on the hearts of two
seniors that have been looking for signs of promises of the Lord to
unfold. Take a step back in time with me
as we glance into the lives of these individuals who served the Lord with
gladness.
The Time Has
Come
There is one
more song to be sung, that of Simeon, an aged man possibly with signs of
weathered storms upon his brow. His
voice is softened, yet not heavy with sadness or despair. In holy garments he sings joyful praises of
hope to Jehovah.
Serving in the temple at that time was an aged prophet,
named Simeon who was a Bible translator of the Septuagint besides a psalmist in poetry
and music. In hope and by faith, he was waiting for
God’s promise to be manifested to Israel, and that salvation to all mankind both Jew and
Gentile would come.
God has
proclaimed him to be a just and devout man, who at night in the Temple sang
praises to the LORD. He faithfully looks
toward the Heavens for the “Consolation,” which is the coming of the Promised
Messiah with salvation to be revealed to his people.
At some point
in his life, the prophet was promised by the Holy Spirit that he would not die
until he had seen the Lord’s Christ with his own eyes. That day had come … the timing of God to
fulfill His promise was at hand.
Now imagine the
event as it unfolds before Simeon. There
is no evidence of the actual age of this servant of God, only that he had
served the Lord and was really up in years (some even believe almost two
hundred based on the favor of God on his life).
Do the Math
Anna the
prophetess is the second person we see has entered the picture. For all of her adult life she never left the
temple area, but served God 24/7 with fasting and prayers. (Luke 2:35-37)
The Bible
describes her as an elderly lady, but let’s do the math shall we? Scriptures tell us that she was married for
seven years before being widowed for eighty-four years. This would bring her to the age of
ninety-one, except that we’re forgetting something.
How old was
Anna when she got married? Making a
general guess around the same age as Mary or at least in her teens which was
customary, Anna would be a good old age of one hundred and five plus years
(give or take a two). It’s highly
unlikely that she would have waited until the age of twenty to marry in that
culture, but if she did …. Anna would be a whopping one hundred-eleven years
old.
So could it
also be true that Simeon was much older than we even believed? Long life is a promise
from God to those who obey their parents; it’s actually the first law of God
with promise and is mentioned as such in over twenty-five verses in the Bible.
Examples
such as:
I will satisfy him with a long life
and show him My salvation.
Honor your father and your mother so that you
may have a long life in the land that the Lord your God is giving
you. (Exodus 20:12)
Follow the whole instruction the Lord your God
has commanded you, so that you may live, prosper, and have a long life
in the land you will possess. (Deuteronomy 5:33)
Although
in Genesis 6:3 God specifies the number of days for mankind to one hundred and
twenty because of sin, extended years could very well have been part of God’s
favor on their lives based on their faithfulness and service to Him.
The Hope of
Favor
Just what was so special about this ancient of days
prophet they called Simeon? How was it
that God extended grace to him and not the other prophets? It was because of God’s plan on his life,
so that all would come to believe on His Son Jesus.
Something we need to clarify is that the work of the Holy
Spirit was different in this passage. Simeon was an Old Testament prophet and
like the religious leaders or prophets of that time period, the Holy Spirit was
“on” him and not “in” him as John the Baptist, Elizabeth and
Mary.
Simeon was told through the Spirit that he would not die
before he had seen the LORD’s Christ in person.
He had no idea how this would come about, but stood on the favor promise of
hope that it would in his lifetime.
Favor - A Spiritual Gift
When Simeon was given word from the Holy Spirit about
being able to see God’s Christ, he received a special gift that only a few have
been blessed with throughout biblical history.
The word pneuma means Spirit in Greek and “ruach” in Old Testament Hebrew,
always referring to the Holy Spirit as the giver of spiritual gifts.
However the word “pneuma hagion” is used when speaking of
Simeon referring to the favor of God Himself spiritually given to an individual.
It was the favor of God spiritual gift “pneuma hagion”
and not the Holy Spirit the “giver of gifts”.
God’s faith and/or power to believe was working in Simeon’s life
and that’s why he never got depressed or discouraged having to wait so long.
The Song of
Simeon
In the early
evening the Holy Spirit guided Simeon to enter the Temple. As he waited, in walks Joseph and Mary
cradling baby Jesus in her arms. They
didn’t utter a word, but the prophet knew immediately what he was about to experience.
He would behold the Christ-mas child.
Taking Jesus in
his arms Simeon begins the customary Jewish blessing on a child. Making a declaration he breaks into his
farewell address song referred to as “The Nunc Dimittis”, a traditional
canticle night prayer. In Latin, it translates as “Now, Master, You can let
Your servant go (rest and be relieved of duty and depart) in peace being
fulfilled, just as You promised.”
Singing his
last duty as a soldier of the Most High God this is Simeon’s Salvation Song:
Simeon took Him up in his arms, praised God, and said:
Now, Master, You can dismiss Your slave in
peace,
as You promised.
For my eyes have seen Your salvation.
You have prepared it in the presence of all peoples—
a Light for revelation to the Gentiles
and glory to Your people Israel.
as You promised.
For my eyes have seen Your salvation.
You have prepared it in the presence of all peoples—
a Light for revelation to the Gentiles
and glory to Your people Israel.
Luke 2:28-32 (HCSB)
By faith Simeon rejoices declaring that
because of the promise fulfilled he could now die in peace, knowing that
salvation was secure through Jesus.
How Christmas Favor Came to You and Me
Notice in verse thirty how Simeon uses the phrase “Thy
Salvation”. Translated from the Greek
word Soterion, it’s not the usual word “Soteria” which means nothing broken,
nothing mission.
The word here
(Soterion) is used of Jehovah Himself, not merely of salvation. God Himself has
come … Immanuel, God with us. (Matthew 1:23)
In verse thirty-two Simeon spoke of a Light to the
Gentiles and Israel, meaning the revelation by unveiling and manifestation that
could be viewed or seen. In other words,
hey guys this baby is the One!
The “glory” spoken of in the last part of the song was a
fulfilled promise to the people of Israel who were waiting for the glory; that
special blessing from God and the Christ-mas child was that miracle.
Hope Has Come
At the same moment Simeon began sharing the
prophecy with Mary and Joseph, the widow Anna that served in the church entered
the room. She waited as Simeon
finished his message that the Deliverer has come like the prophet Isaiah had
said in chapter 49 verse 6.
Now it’s Anna’s turn to speak about Jesus to
all who were looking (hoping) for the redemption of Jerusalem. (Luke 2:38) She would also share in the favor of God by
witnessing this promise being fulfilled.
A forty day old baby was the promise
Deliverer for the Jewish people, and Messiah to all nations who would come to
believe in Him as the Savior. The Christ-mas light is here and
shines throughout the earth with good tidings of great joy to all mankind. The hope of God’s favor for salvation was
marked for eternity when Christ was born in a "cattle’s" cave in Bethlehem.
Throughout the years Simeon continued to
believe, without knowing how God would work things out for his good. He saw a baby physically, but spiritually
Simeon saw the solution that would repair the breach that sin caused between
God and man.
In wisdom Simeon prepared the young
couple for what would become of the Christ child. The sword that would pierce the Son of God
would do the same emotionally as Mary would one day observe this prophecy before
her own tear filled eyes. (Luke 2:34-35)
Gender to Generation
As we have walked through the lives of those
who received Christmas Favor in this series, it isn’t surprising how God has
done so. He has crossed generations and
gender using a young virgin, a barren woman, a working class man, an elder in
the priesthood, an old prophet and a prophetess.
Elizabeth, Zechariah, Joseph, Mary, Simeon
and Anna trusted God’s plan and remained faithful and receptive to the Holy
Spirit. Their faithfulness allowed God
to give them His favor and be a part of something great that others only
witnessed or missed out on altogether.
What did they all have in common (besides a
song in their heart)? Not knowing how
things would play out for their future, they surrendered their all to the
Spirit of God, reminding us that we are never too young or too old to be used
for God’s plan.
These now citizens of Heaven responded to the
call of God on their lives when their day of salvation came. Their hearts weren’t hardened, but surrendered,
ready and willing to do “whatever it takes” to get the message that Christ-mas
Light, that the Messiah and saving grace (favor) had come.
Today many Christians continue to sing the
songs of Christmas past but fail to remain a beacon of light so all would come
to believe, because they are not willing to be led.
Are you allowing the Spirit of God to lead
you so that you remain righteous and a devout servant of Christ? Perhaps it’s time to surrender to the plan so
that the Hope of Christmas Favor will flourish in your life every day.
As we come to the end of this series, believe and receive what you have heard on
this day.
God’s Greatest Hope
Driving to church on Christmas morning, I noticed that the church parking lots weren’t full, and sadly the hope of the Messiah didn’t reach as many souls as it could. It made me wonder:
“Have God’s people forgotten about the Hope of Favor
we received when the Christ-mas child was born into our own lives?”
This Week’s Challenge:
Surrender to the Christ-mas Light
The Christ-mas Light message is still shining bright, and
the hope of salvation favor to all who will believe is very much alive!
On December 27th, 2016 we received an
aerogramme from a man in Indonesia. My
husband asked me if I knew who he was, but I informed him that I did not.
Although physically our Christmas lights can only be seen
a short distance, the Light that brought us salvation reaches from sea to sea
around the world. This devout man of God
wrote a letter of thanks to us for helping them in their outreach missions so
other Indonesians would learn about the Christ-mas Child Jesus, and the hope of
salvation (through God’s Daily Favor) was now theirs by faith. Praise God for the Light of Christ-mas!
Our challenge this week is not one that should end for
any believer, but one of spiritual favor for all to witness as Simeon and Anna
did.
As you prepare to set goals and resolutions for the
upcoming year, through prayer surrender your life plans to the Lord no matter
how young or old you are. If you’re
still here, God has favor designated for your life plan.
Let this year be guided by the Holy Spirit so that He can
work joyful wonders of His love through you, and grant you more favor then you’ve
ever experienced.
Your life matters to God. There is a promise behind that
hope of Christmas Favor set aside just for those who dare to believe.
Let me leave this thought with you as to why God is
willing to show favor to those who will shine the Light of Christ-mas not only
on the holiday, but all through the year.
“The people are living very much below poverty line, and
in part living in fear, anxiety and are desperate. They very much need the news of peace, joy
and eternal life through salvation.” Letters
of Hope from Indonesia
Remember what you’ve learned this year, and take it to
the next step. Shine the Light of the Hope of Christ-mas Favor with others each
and every day God grants you life.
“For the administration of this service not
only supplies the needs of the Saints, but also is abounding through many
thanksgivings to God.
While, through the proof of this ministry, they
glorify God for the obedience of your confession to the gospel of Christ,
and for your
liberal sharing with them and all men,
and by their prayer for you, who long for you
because of the exceeding grace ((His favor and mercy and spiritual blessing
which is shown forth) of God
in you.
Thanks be
to God for His indescribable free gift of eternal life through salvation!
(2 Corinthians 9:12-15 NKJV
emphasis mine)
All To Jesus Surrender led and
sung by Robin Mark
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Until Jesus comes, share the message of Christ-mas
Favor!
“The Holy Spirit is waiting to give you Christ favor.”
Jesus Christ
*Unless
noted, the names in articles are changed to protect the individual(s) privacy.
Note: Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB). Emphasis is given in some scriptures
to show clarity or understanding and is not to take away from the inspirited
Word of God.
Disclaimer:
Article information is not meant to be used as treatment for mental or physical
issues, but geared toward spiritual awareness.
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