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 1 st 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: “Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. 2 Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid for, that she has received from the L ORD ’s Hand double for all her sins.”

Isaiah 52: “Burst into songs of joy together, you ruins of Jerusalem, for the L ORD has comforted his people, He has redeemed Jerusalem. 10 The L ORD 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: Simeon the Priest Meets Mary & Joseph with the newborn Jesus in 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: 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 be a 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’ “2 nd 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.