10 Truths about Christ’s Birth and Faithful Believers Who Waited for His First Coming

Let’s look at 10 truths about Christ’s birth and faithful believers who waited for his first coming. God worked in these humble and steadfast believers to confirm His Son’s birth.

Luke 2:19-21:
But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

1) Mary deeply considered what God had told the shepherds about this newborn son. The shepherds were thankful and returned to the fields, praising God for seeing the Messiah.

2) God told Moses that the best day for a new boy’s circumcision was at eight days. This also is when the baby’s blood has the best clotting ability and strength to fight infection. Both Mary and Joseph had received visits from an angel saying the child would be named JESUS. That is the same name as “Joshua,” and means “The Lord brings salvation.”

Luke 2:22-24:
And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord;
(As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;)
And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.

3) Mary and Joseph came to Jerusalem after Mary completed the required time for purification after the birth of a child. Each firstborn son was to be presented in the temple and a lamb or other sacrifice was given in “exchange” for the life of this firstborn child. Joseph and Mary did not need to bring a lamb, since the very child was the lamb of God, who would take away ALL the sins of the world. They did however bring another sacrifice as prescribed by the law of Moses.

Luke 2:25-35:
And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation [the Messiah] of Israel: and the holy spirit was upon him.
And it was revealed unto him by the holy spirit, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ [Messiah] .
And he came by the spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,
Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,
Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:
For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,
Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;
A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.
And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him.
And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against;
(Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.

4) Simeon was a man who faithfully waited for the fulfillment of God’s promise to Israel, that He would send the Messiah to redeem them. He had God’s holy spirit within him, and God told him that he would literally see the Messiah before he died. He had waited for this moment. God sent him into the temple at just the right time to see Jesus and his parents.

5) Simeon took the young Jesus in his arms and prophesied over him. Elizabeth, Mary, and Zacharias had prophesied about Jesus and his cousin, John the Baptist by the holy spirit nearly a year before this. Simeon quoted from Isaiah 49:6: “…I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth.” This was fulfilled in Jesus the Messiah.

5) Joseph and Mary were amazed at Simeon’s words and how they confirmed all that God had told them through his angel. Besides declaring how Jesus would impact Israel and the nations, he also told Mary about her personal challenges in seeing the Messiah fulfill his calling as the “suffering savior” [as seen in Isaiah 53].

Luke 2:36-38:
And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity;
And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.
And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.

6) Anna was a prophetess and a widow of 84 years. She stayed in the temple area and served wherever she could. She faithfully waited for God’s Messiah and prayed day and night.

7) God guided her to meet Jesus and his parents. She gave thanks that she had the joy of seeing the long-awaited Messiah.

8) Like the shepherds, Anna did not keep this good news to herself. She told everyone who looked for God’s redemption through His Messiah about what she had seen.

9) Like Simeon, we can know the scriptures and declare how God’s good promise is fulfilled in His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Like Anna, we can tell all who seek to know God how they can be one with the Father through Christ.

10) Let’s allow God to guide us to a greater understanding of our Savior so that we too can be filled with joy and share that good news with others!

1 John 1:4:
And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.