For my eyes have seen your salvation…
Summary: Birthdays are a reason to celebrate, and Jesus’ birthday is no different. Well, maybe a little different…
We celebrate birthdays because they mark a unique point in each of our lives. It is a point when we pass from the comfort and safety of our mother’s womb out into the cold, hard world outside the womb. Mothers celebrate because they have given birth to new life. Fathers celebrate because there is something unquestionably amazing about having been a part of making a new life. Brothers and sisters celebrate because they are excited to meet their new sibling.
Each year we mark our birthdays because they are like mileposts on the road of life. How old you are determines what you get to do, what you have to do, and what you can expect in the coming year. This year, we mark another birthday for the Lord Jesus.
His birthday is something that he has in common with all people. Young or old, rich or poor, we all have a birth day, and most of us celebrate it in some way, small or large. We continue to celebrate Jesus’ birthday because he is important to so many people. In the words of Simeon as recorded by Luke:
“Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.” (Luke 2: 29-32)
Jesus has given us the gift of salvation, the light of revelation, and God’s glory. The question now is, “What can we give to him?” Here are some gift suggestions for the Son of God from his “wish list”:
The first thing that comes to mind is love. In Matthew 22: 37-39, Jesus says, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”
If we can love God and our neighbor a little bit more this coming year, I think that would make Jesus very happy.
The second thing that comes to mind is humility. Mary’s response to the angel Gabriel is a model response: “‘I am the Lord’s servant,’ Mary replied.” (Luke 1: 38)
Jesus himself says, “For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” (Luke 14:11)
If we set aside our pride and serve him with humility, I think that would make Jesus smile, too.
If you would like to go “all in” and give Jesus a third gift, I can think of one more. In John’s Gospel, Jesus reveals a third item on his “wish list” for his church and all of humanity; unity.
“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you.” (John 17: 2-21)
If we can put aside our differences, focus on what Jesus has asked us to do, and serve Him by serving others, imagine how big his smile would be then!
So there it is; Jesus’ very own wish list. You cannot buy these things with money. Instead, they are gifts from the heart. They cost nothing, and at the same time, they cost everything. We have to give up our desire to be in control and trust Jesus. We give him what he wants because what he wants is the very best for you and me.
Application: Birthday shopping list for Jesus: Love, humility, and unity. Happy shopping!
Food for Thought: What does it mean to “see salvation”?
Beautiful devotional Jeff, Merry Christmas! We celebrate the presence of God, the Spirit of Christ in our hearts, thank you Jesus!
It’s also our first Christmas as a family of four. It was a blessing to see our 3 yr old daughter Kora start the morning in prayer and thankfulness!
May the Lord fill your hearts with joy today my beloved brothers and sisters in Christ!
Standing firm in Him,
Danny, Carrie, Kora and Jonah Lippis
Danny
Thank you for your comment! Blessings on you and your family!
To see salvation is to know Jesus. John 17: 3; John 14: 6; Acts 4: 12; Philippians 3. 7 – 11.
May you all have a Merry Christmas. Knowing Jesus certainly makes Christmas merrier.
Thank you Rich!
Amen! 🙂
12-25-2021, Luke 3:29-30, What does it mean to “see salvation”?
Moses called the people to “see the salvation of the Lord” as He saved them from the Egyptians, their previous slave masters.
Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever. The LORD will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.”
Exodus 14:13-14
Simeon responded to the conviction of the Holy Spirit as He revealed Christ as the Messiah, the Lord’s Salvation for man.
Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ, the Messiah, the Anointed. Prompted by the Spirit, he came into the temple and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for Him the custom required by the Law, Simeon took Him into his arms, and blessed and praised and thanked God, and said, my eyes have seen Your Salvation,
Luke 15:25-30
Today we see salvation when our spiritual eyes of our heart are opened and we receive the conviction of the Holy Spirit in repentance.
John 16:8-11
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!
Ron
Great illustration! God does the work and we get to watch.
What does it mean to see salvation?
I’m not sure what salvation is supposed to even look like. I have seen a lot of this fallen world in my life, lots of sad things, bad things, lots of sin, too much evil. I did bad things and I did them Very well. I thrived in chaos. I didn’t know or cared about the holidays. Much like salvation. This year I have seen a different side of things I’ve seen love of a Christian family love from brothers and sisters in Christ. It is still the same fallen world and things are even getting worse. But I now have a little more joy, happiness, even hope. Maybe I have seen a glimpse of what salvation looks like.
Brother Tim,
There is a deep truth and beauty in your words here. To have seen the corruption of the world, and then glimpsed the beauty of Christ’s light shining through those he has touched… Yes, you have seen a glimpse of what salvation is. More than that, in accepting Jesus as Lord, you have seen the Savior, the one who makes salvation possible.
Merry Christmas brother!