As Caleb finished the evening meal, it was him who was anxious to tell all more about that first Christmas. He had so enjoyed how his family had come together, and he watched with joy as they would talk to each other about Christ, and discuss all they had heard the night before. “Come. Gather. All of you that I so love! I have a part of that first Christmas I am longing to tell you about tonight, as Jesus was brought to the Temple!”
As they all quickly came together, and Caleb could see the desire in the whole family to want to hear more, he began to smile as he started to speak. “I did not raise you all under the strict control of the Law, as our salvation rests in a Risen Savior. But I can remember growing up under the shadow of the Law, and I saw much of what Christ would have also seen as He grew up. After a child was born, the Law had very careful guidelines that the mother had to be followed. When a woman gave birth, she was considered ceremonially unclean for seven days(Leviticus 12:2), until the day of the male child’s circumcision on the eighth day(Leviticus 12:3). For those first seven days the mother was considered to be ceremonially unclean, then she had to stay home for another thirty-three days. Then on the fortieth day after the birth of her son, the mother was to present an offering to the priest in order for her sin to be atoned for(Leviticus 12:6-7). If the child was a female, this was to last twice as long, and the total purification period was eighty days(Leviticus 12:4-5).”
As Caleb continued to describe to his family how the Law viewed the purification process, he set the stage for what had brought Mary and Jesus to the Temple on that day(Luke 2:22-24). “There were three parts of the purification. First, the women would bring both a burnt and sin offering for her cleansing to the gate at the Court of the Women(Leviticus 12:6-8). Second, the firstborn son was given redemption(Exodus 13:1-12), as the family would either pay the priest five shekels or a sacrificial lamb would be presented(Numbers 18:15-16). This was said to pay for the promise of the Redeemer, who the people believed would one day redeem all of Israel with His precious blood(1 Peter 1:18-19). And finally, they would consecrate their firstborn son(1 Samuel 1) presenting him in front of all Israel. This is where Mary and Joseph found themselves that day, as she brought two turtledoves to be sacrificed on her behalf, which shows us just how little this family had, as this was the common and accepted gift from those who could not afford to bring a lamb to be sacrificed.”
As Caleb laid out for all what had brought Mary and Joseph to the Temple that day, he then got to the heart of his story. “At that day and time in Jerusalem, there was a righteous man, who was devout to God, who knew the promises the Lord had given to Israel was at hand(Luke 2:25). This man’s name was Simeon, and the Lord had revealed to him that he would see the promised Messiah before his death came upon him(Luke 2:26). Simeon was a man who knew the call of the Lord’s voice, and knew what it meant to be led by the Spirit(Matthew 4:1) and on this day the Spirit had led Simeon to the Temple. As he saw Mary and Joseph coming to the Temple for the purification and to present the Child(Luke 2:27), Simeon rushed to them, and took Jesus into his arms(Luke 2:28), and began praising the Lord, as the Spirit led him to speak about the Child.”
As Caleb spoke this time, he was ready, and had prepared for what he was about to say. “Before I told all of you about Simeon today, I went back to my papers, as I knew Luke had given me the words that Simeon spoke on that day. Listen closely to what all his words tell us. ‘Now Lord, You are releasing Your bond-servant to depart in peace, according to Your word; For my eyes have seen Your salvation, which You have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a Light of revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people Israel(Luke 2:29-32).’ Simeon spoke with peace, as he knew the promises given were now being fulfilled in front of his eyes. And as he held a child in his arms who he had never held before, you could all but hear a lifetime of love that Simeon had for his Savior. Through all the years of darkness, Simeon had been called on by the Lord to watch for the sun to rise. And as he stood there that day, Simeon could see how the Light of this world had come, and all the world, both Jew and Gentile, would forever live in that Light(Romans 1:16).”
But with those words, Caleb did not stop. “As Mary and Joseph stood amazed at all they heard, Simeon continued to speak words that would have amazed them even more. ‘Behold, this Child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and for a sign to be opposed, and a sword will pierce even your own soul, to the end that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed(Luke 2:33-35).’ Simeon let them know, their Son would be a stumbling block to many(Isaiah 8:14, Matthew 21:42-44), as some would love the darkness more than they would the light(John 3:19). But as many would fall, others would be raised up, as through Him many would be brought up to eternal life(Romans 6:4-9). Simeon then went on to tell Mary, that the son she now would hold, would bring her the greatest of sweetness and also the worst taste of bitterness. As one day she would literally have her heart pierced to the soul as she watched them drive the nails into His hands and feet(Psalm 22:16). And through His piercing, the hearts of all mankind would be revealed.”
As his family heard these words, Caleb’s son-in-law, Lemuel, began to speak. “Abba(Hebrew for father), so Simeon knew that Israel would reject Christ even as he was holding Him as a child? How? And why do so many still reject Him, not see he was the promised Messiah?” As Caleb heard these words, he could see the concern on Lemuel’s face, and his true desire to understand. “My son, just as the Lord had revealed the truth to David, and given to him a clear vision of what would happen on the Cross that day(Psalm 22), the Lord showed Simeon the same. But please notice, although Simeon knew what the Messiah would one day face, he was willing to wait a lifetime just to get a glimpse of Him, as Simeon knew the hope His death would bring to all who have and will believe(Acts 4:12). There simply can be no middle ground with Chrst, my son. The pages of history will record many who will reject Him, because they would rather be wrong than to admit they cannot do this without Him. Who can never admit that they do not hold all the answers, and cannot save themselves. They would rather be wrong than to admit they need a Savior. I am no prophet my son, but I feel confident in telling you, through all future days, men who will agree on nothing else, will come together in agreement over their hatred of Christ.”
As Lemuel heard the words, he began to understand. “Thank you for explaining Abba, and for telling us about that day at the Temple.” As Caleb heard this, he smiled. “My son, this story is far from over, as another was at the temple that day also!”
Caleb then looked to his family and continued. “As Simeon finished, a woman who spent all her time at the Temple also came up to Mary and Joseph(Luke 2:36-38). An elder woman, who had been a widow for many years, as a matter of fact, most of her life. A woman who was a prophetess, named Anna.”
On hearing his words, Uri spoke up. “Abba, what is a prophetess?” On hearing Uri’s question, Caleb nodded, “A prophetess is not what you think, my son. She would not have spent her day foretelling the future. She was a woman who knew and taught the Word of God, and who helped all know what His will was for the people of Israel.” On hearing this Uri spoke up again. So Abba, the priest would allow her to do this at the Temple?” Again Caleb nodded and began to answer. “Women in the Jewish culture did have more rights than women throughout much of this world. But women were restricted to the Court of the Women, not allowed to enter the inner court, where the ceremonies were performed. And like slaves, women were not allowed to give evidence in court, as society did not see their voice as equal to that of a man. But just because society would not give the same voice to Anna, does not mean that the Lord did not look equally on her, and did not speak through her. My son, we serve a God who is a respecter of people, not one looks first to their gender. Our Lord loves the heart of all who are devoted to Him, whether that person might be male or female.”
As Uri showed his father he understood, Caleb continued to tell the family about Anna. “Anna spent her time in devotion to our Lord, and spent her days at the Temple because she longed to be close to the God she served. And as she would have heard the words of Simeon, and saw with her eyes the fulfillment of all the Lord had promised, she began praising our Lord, letting her joy be heard for the Messiah her eyes now saw, as she told all of the redemption He would bring(Isaiah 53:5). And the sweetness of her words would have made it easier for Mary and Joseph to swallow the necessary bitterness they had heard in the final words of Simeon.”
As Caleb looked at his family, he smiled as he described the meaning of that day to them. “As you remember that first Christmas, do not forget what happened at the Temple on that day. The goodness and favor of the Lord was on full display that day for the people to witness, as the Lord presented His Son to all of Israel. As all could see that the grace of the Lord was upon Him!”
As Caleb finished telling all about what had happened that day at the Temple, Caleb’s grandson, Uriel began to speak. “Saba(Hebrew for grandfather), I have heard stories of great men who came to visit Jesus when he was young, Is this also true, Saba? Did others come from around this world to see the Messiah?” The biggest of smiles came to the face of Caleb. “My precious child, I know there are all kinds of stories out there everywhere! And many of those have become more about someone’s imagination than they are based on the truth. I have business I need to take care of the next couple of nights, but if you can be patient for a couple of days, I will tell you the remarkable story of those who did come to visit our Lord, when He was still a very young child:” On hearing her father’s words, Caleb’s daughter quickly let him know. “Do you realize Abba just how much you are asking of a grandson of yours? It is I who will need that patience the next two days!”
As Caleb and his family soon gather again to hear the story of that first Christmas, I hope your family will be joining with them also!
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