Introduction:  Finding the right balance concerning the birth of the Lord Jesus is difficult.  Some overly emphasize His birth and forget that He is no longer a baby.  Some rush right past His birth to point to His atoning death and His glorious resurrection.  All of these truths point to parts of the grace of God openly manifested to the world in the person of His Son.  May God grant us the ability to consider the full spectrum of truth concerning our Saviour and the heart to praise Him for it.

1. THE SETTING SURROUNDING THE MEETING (Luke 2:1-24 [1] And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. [2] (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) [3] And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. [4] And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) [5] To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. [6] And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. [7] And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. [8] And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. [9] And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. [10] And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. [11] For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. [12] And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. [13] And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, [14] Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. [15] And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. [16] And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. [17] And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. [18] And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. [19] But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. [20] And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them. [21] 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. [22] 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; [23] (As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;) [24] 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.
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1. The Birth of Christ (Luke 2:1-16 [1] And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. [2] (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) [3] And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. [4] And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) [5] To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. [6] And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. [7] And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. [8] And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. [9] And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. [10] And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. [11] For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. [12] And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. [13] And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, [14] Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. [15] And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. [16] And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
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1. Born in Bethlehem (Luke 2:1-7 [1] And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. [2] (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) [3] And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. [4] And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) [5] To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. [6] And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. [7] And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
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2. The revelation to the shepherds (Luke 2:8-14 [8] And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. [9] And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. [10] And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. [11] For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. [12] And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. [13] And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, [14] Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
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3. The visit from the shepherds (Luke 2:15-16 [15] And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. [16] And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
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2. The Lord Jesus’ Circumcision (Luke 2:21And 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.
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3. Mary’s Days of Purification (Luke 2:22And 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;
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1. 7 days she would be unclean (Leviticus 12:2Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If a woman have conceived seed, and born a man child: then she shall be unclean seven days; according to the days of the separation for her infirmity shall she be unclean.
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2. The eighth day is the day of circumcision.
3. 33 days after the circumcision (Leviticus 12:4And she shall then continue in the blood of her purifying three and thirty days; she shall touch no hallowed thing, nor come into the sanctuary, until the days of her purifying be fulfilled.
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4. The Lord Jesus was brought to Jerusalem (Luke 2:22And 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;
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4. The Sacrifice for the Lord Jesus (Luke 2:22-24 [22] 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; [23] (As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;) [24] 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.
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1. According to the law of Moses concerning her uncleanness (Leviticus 12:6And when the days of her purifying are fulfilled, for a son, or for a daughter, she shall bring a lamb of the first year for a burnt offering, and a young pigeon, or a turtledove, for a sin offering, unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, unto the priest:
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2. Mary offered the sacrifice of the poor (Leviticus 12:8And if she be not able to bring a lamb, then she shall bring two turtles, or two young pigeons; the one for the burnt offering, and the other for a sin offering: and the priest shall make an atonement for her, and she shall be clean.
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3. This occurred before the visit of the wise men, therefore they had no gold to purchase a lamb.
2. THE LIFE OF SIMEON (Luke 2:25And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.
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1. His Walk
1. He was just.
2. He was devout.
2. His Wait – For the consolation of Israel
3. His Fellowship – the Holy Ghost was upon him
3. THE LEADING OF SIMEON (Luke 2:26-27 [26] And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ. [27] 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,
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1. Past Leadings (Luke 2:26And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ.
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1. Revealed by the Holy Ghost
2. He would not see death until he saw the Christ
2. Present Leadings (Luke 2:27And 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,
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1. He came by the Spirit into the temple.
2. He came in at the right time.
4. THE WORSHIP OF SIMEON (Luke 2:28-32 [28] Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, [29] Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: [30] For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, [31] Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; [32] A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.
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1. The Expectation of Simeon (Luke 2:28-29 [28] Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, [29] Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:
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1. He took Him up in his arms (Luke 2:28Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,
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2. He blessed God (Luke 2:28Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,
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3. He was satisfied now to die (Luke 2:29Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:
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2. The Proclamation of Simeon (Luke 2:30-32 [30] For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, [31] Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; [32] A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.
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1. The sight of salvation (Luke 2:30-31 [30] For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, [31] Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;
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2. The need for all (Luke 2:32A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.
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1. A light for the Gentiles
2. The glory of thy people Israel
5. THE ASTONISHMENT OF JOSEPH AND MARY (Luke 2:33And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him.
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1. Possibly Wondering at the News of Christ (See Luke 2:18-19 [18] And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. [19] But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
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2. Possibly Wondering at the Knowledge of Simeon
6. THE PROPHECY OF SIMEON (Luke 2:34-35 [34] 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; [35] (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.
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1. Concerning Israel (Luke 2:34And 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;
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1. For the fall
2. For the rising again
2. Concerning Christ’s Rejection (Luke 2:34-35 [34] 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; [35] (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.
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1. A sign spoken against (Luke 2:34And 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;
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2. A sword through Mary (Luke 2:35(Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.
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3. Concerning a Coming Judgment (Luke 2:35(Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.
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Conclusion:  Are you rejoicing in the truth that Jesus Christ took on a body of flesh when He was born into this world?  Are you truly as thankful as Simeon was on that day that He held the Christ Child?  Are you as anxious for our Lord’s soon return as Simeon was for the Lord’s first coming?