Brothers, I don’t regard myself as yet having taken hold, but one thing I do: forgetting the things which are behind and stretching forward to the things which are before
Dear Heavenly Father, be my guide and protect me from these things that surround me that I do not understand or that influence me in ways that are not from You. Lord I want to be and act as close to You as You’ve always wanted Your children to be. Lord give the strength to stand against the evil in this world, the distractions and influences. Help me to not fear and worry about these issues that continue to affect everything around us. Thank you Lord for Your protection, direction, and love. In Jesus Name Amen
Getting to Know Him
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Therefore let’s also, seeing we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let’s run with perseverance the race that is set before us,
Dear Heavenly Father, be my guide and protect me from these things that surround me that I do not understand or that influence me in ways that are not from You. Lord I want to be and act as close to You as You’ve always wanted Your children to be. Lord give the strength to stand against the evil in this world, the distractions and influences. Help me to not fear and worry about these issues that continue to affect everything around us. Thank you Lord for Your protection, direction, and love. In Jesus Name Amen
Getting to Know Him
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Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
Dear Heavenly Father, be my guide and protect me from these things that surround me that I do not understand or that influence me in ways that are not from You. Lord I want to be and act as close to You as You’ve always wanted Your children to be. Lord give the strength to stand against the evil in this world, the distractions and influences. Help me to not fear and worry about these issues that continue to affect everything around us. Thank you Lord for Your protection, direction, and love. In Jesus Name Amen
Getting to Know Him
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For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Dear Heavenly Father, be my guide and protect me from these things that surround me that I do not understand or that influence me in ways that are not from You. Lord I want to be and act as close to You as You’ve always wanted Your children to be. Lord give the strength to stand against the evil in this world, the distractions and influences. Help me to not fear and worry about these issues that continue to affect everything around us. Thank you Lord for Your protection, direction, and love. In Jesus Name Amen
Getting to Know Him
Do you want eternal life? Do you want to enter heaven through the only guide that can help you navigate your way there? To enter His home, get to know Him better, and make Him your Lord and Savior CLICK HERE…..
The True Shepherd: Discernment, Deception, and Deep Joy at Christmas
Jesus Himself warned that deception often comes dressed in familiarity and appeal. (Mark 7:9) During Christmas, when distractions are plentiful and expectations are high, believers are called to look beyond surface joy and seek the source of true joy.
By recognizing the presence of false promises masked in allure, as depicted in Matthew 7:15, Christians are called during Christmas to seek the true Shepherd, Jesus Christ, who alone brings salvation and authentic, lasting joy.
Conclusion: Choosing the Shepherd Who Leads to Life
Now that we are coming to the end of this message, Christmas places a question before each of us: Whose voice are we following? Throughout the world we can find many shepherds voices that promise joy, peace, and fulfillment, but cannot lead us to life. They will appear safe and appealing, but they will leave your soul wandering and unsatisfied.
Jesus, on the other hand, stands apart. Christ does not call us with empty words or temporary comfort. He calls us by name. (Jeremiah 1:5)He leads us with truth. He protects us with His sacrifice. The child born in Bethlehem is the Shepherd who walks before His flock, who knows our burdens, and who laid down His life so we could be restored to God. (Romans 5:8)
This Christmas, when choosing the Shepherd who leads to life means slowing down enough to listen for His voice. We need to reject the distractions that draw our hearts away, and fully trusting Him as our source of true joy. When we surrender ourselves and follow Jesus, we are not merely celebrating a season, we are embracing a Savior. Through Him, we will find not only hope for today, but life that is abundant now and eternal forever.
May we leave this season not led by false promises, but guided by the good news and the Good Shepherd, whose love never fails and whose path always leads to life.
With Christmas, we are invited to take a deep breath and slow down, listen carefully, and choose wisely. Knowing not every promise brings life. All of the noise from every voice speaks truth. But the voice of Jesus still calls gently, faithfully, and clearly.
Matthew 11:28 — “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
John 14:6 — “I am the way and the truth and the life.”
Jesus does not offer temporary happiness, He offers eternal salvation.
He does not disguise Himself, He reveals the Father.
He does not abandon His flock, He gives His life for it.
This Christmas, may we discern the false distractions and embrace Jesus Christ, the true Shepherd, who alone brings authentic transformation and lasting joy. 🎄✝️
Reflection Questions
Looking Back to Move Forward:
Over the course of this series, what truth about Jesus as Shepherd has most challenged or encouraged you? How has your understanding of authentic joy and discernment grown?
From Awareness to Action:
Throughout this series, we have identified false promises and true hope. What is one specific change God is prompting you to make as a result of what you’ve learned?
Whose Voice Shapes Your Direction:
When you consider the decisions you are making right now, whose voice has the greatest influence culture, fear, comfort, or Christ? What would it look like to more fully surrender your direction to the Good Shepherd?
Living the Message Beyond the Season:
This series concludes during Christmas, but following Jesus continues every day. How can you intentionally practice discernment and dependence on the Shepherd after this season ends?
A Shepherd-Led Life:
If someone were to look at your life six months from now, what evidence would you hope they see that you are being led by the Good Shepherd rather than driven by false promises?
Final Altar Call / Invitation: Choosing the Shepherd
As we close this series, the invitation before us is simple, but deeply personal:
Whose voice will you follow?
Jesus said, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” (John 10:27)
There are some of us that have realized through this series that we’ve been listening to voices that promised comfort but only deliver confusion. Voices that offered control but ultimately lead to anxiety. Voices that look safe but are slowly pulling our hearts away from Christ.
Today, Jesus stands before us not as a distant figure in a manger, but as the living Good Shepherd; calling, inviting, and leading.
If you need to:
Return to Jesus after drifting
Surrender control and trust Him again
Lay down false hopes and receive true life
Or follow the Shepherd for the very first time
This is your moment. Not out of pressure, but out of love.
Jesus has never asked for perfection, do have it all together, He is asking for your heart.
If you’re ready to choose the Shepherd who leads to life, respond in faith, right where you are, as a declaration that you are choosing His voice above all others. CLICK HERE…..
Always, remember this: You are not wandering sheep, you are known, loved, and led.
May the Lord bless you with discernment to recognize truth
Courage to reject false promises
Give you peace that comes from walking closely with the Good Shepherd.
May the voice of Jesus be louder than the noise of the world
His joy deeper than your circumstances
His presence be your greatest treasure this Christmas and beyond.
“Now may the God of peace… equip you with everything good for doing His will… through Jesus Christ, the great Shepherd of the sheep.” (Hebrews 13:20–21)
Go in peace. Follow the Shepherd. Live in joy.
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, I thank You for meeting us throughout this series. Thank You for Your Word that warns us, guides us, and ultimately leads us to Jesus, the one and only true Shepherd of our souls. Lord, I confess that there have been times when I have chased voices that were loud instead of true, familiar instead of faithful. Forgive me for placing my hope in temporary things rather than in You. Jesus, I choose You again today. I choose Your voice over the noise, Your truth over deception and Your life over false promises. As I leave this series and move forward from Christmas, help me to live as person who is led. Led by Your Spirit, shaped by Your Word, and anchored in Your love. Guard my heart, sharpen my discernment, Restore my joy, and help me point others to the Shepherd who laid down His life for the sheep. In Jesus Name Amen.
Getting to Know Him
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Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,
Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Dear Heavenly Father, be my guide and protect me from these things that surround me that I do not understand or that influence me in ways that are not from You. Lord I want to be and act as close to You as You’ve always wanted Your children to be. Lord give the strength to stand against the evil in this world, the distractions and influences. Help me to not fear and worry about these issues that continue to affect everything around us. Thank you Lord for Your protection, direction, and love. In Jesus Name Amen
Getting to Know Him
Do you want eternal life? Do you want to enter heaven through the only guide that can help you navigate your way there? To enter His home, get to know Him better, and make Him your Lord and Savior CLICK HERE…..
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Dear Heavenly Father, be my guide and protect me from these things that surround me that I do not understand or that influence me in ways that are not from You. Lord I want to be and act as close to You as You’ve always wanted Your children to be. Lord give the strength to stand against the evil in this world, the distractions and influences. Help me to not fear and worry about these issues that continue to affect everything around us. Thank you Lord for Your protection, direction, and love. In Jesus Name Amen
Getting to Know Him
Do you want eternal life? Do you want to enter heaven through the only guide that can help you navigate your way there? To enter His home, get to know Him better, and make Him your Lord and Savior CLICK HERE…..
Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.
Dear Heavenly Father, be my guide and protect me from these things that surround me that I do not understand or that influence me in ways that are not from You. Lord I want to be and act as close to You as You’ve always wanted Your children to be. Lord give the strength to stand against the evil in this world, the distractions and influences. Help me to not fear and worry about these issues that continue to affect everything around us. Thank you Lord for Your protection, direction, and love. In Jesus Name Amen
Getting to Know Him
Do you want eternal life? Do you want to enter heaven through the only guide that can help you navigate your way there? To enter His home, get to know Him better, and make Him your Lord and Savior CLICK HERE…..
3. The Good Shepherd: The Source of True Joy and Transformation
Have you ever noticed that Christmas is a season filled with voices calling for our attention. When we read the Bible we see that it calls God’s people to discernment, you know good judgment, especially in moments when the heart is tender and the world is loud. Jesus Himself warned that deception often comes dressed in familiarity and appeal. (Mark 7:9) During Christmas, when distractions are plentiful and expectations are high, believers are called to look beyond surface joy and seek the source of true joy.
The Good Shepherd: Is the Source of True Joy and Transformation, is a Christ-centered message that invites believers to move beyond surface-level happiness, and encounter the deep, lasting joy found only in Jesus. Rooted in John 10:11, this teaching presents Christ not merely as a guide, but as the faithful Shepherd who knows His sheep, calls them by name, and willingly lays down His life for them.
In a world that’s filled with competing voices and deceptive promises. This message highlights the contrast between false shepherds who take and the true Shepherd who gives. It reveals how Jesus offers more than temporary comfort. He provides protection, restoration, and spiritual transformation. Through His sacrificial love, we are led out of fear, confusion, and emptiness into peace, purpose, and security.
Centered especially within the Christmas narrative, The Good Shepherd reminds His followers that the child in the manger is the Savior who would one day carry the cross. True joy is not found through circumstances, possessions, or perfection, but in belonging to Christ and living under His care. The Christmas message encourages a deeper trust in Jesus, a clearer recognition of His voice, and a transformed life marked by authentic joy that endures beyond the season.
Jesus does not merely warn against false shepherds—He reveals Himself as the true and faithful one.
John 10:11 — “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”
A. The Good Shepherd gives His life, not empty promises
The world is filled with voices that make bold promises, promises of happiness, security, success, and fulfillment. (1 John 4:1) When you really look or listen to them many of these promises are hollow. They’ll demand much and deliver little. There is a big difference, Jesus presents Himself as the Good Shepherd, not one who merely speaks comforting words, delerving “snake oil”. Jesus is the One who demonstrates love through sacrifice.
When Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep” (John 10:11), He shows us the heart of God. Unlike hired hands who flee when danger comes, the Good Shepherd remains to protect. Like a shepherd, He does not abandon His flock when the cost is high. Instead, He stepped forward, placing Himself between the sheep and the threat. His love and care is not conditional, temporary, or self-serving, it is covenantal and eternal.
False shepherds and false hopes promise safety without sacrifice and blessing without obedience. (Matthew 24:24) They talk smoothly and offer quick comfort but cannot save you in moments of true danger. Jesus, however, does not offer an illusion or convenience. He offers Himself. We can see that from the manger to the cross, His life is a testimony of surrender. Christmas is a reminder for us that the Shepherd entered the world knowing the price that He would pay, and followed through and He paid it willingly.
Because the Good Shepherd gives His life, believers can trust His voice. (Romans 5:8-10) His promises were proven by His wounds. His love is not theoretical; it was fully demonstrated. When we follow Him, we are not chasing empty words, but responding to a Savior who has already given everything. This is the difference between empty promises and eternal truth and it is the foundation of authentic joy and lasting hope.
False shepherds protect themselves. The Good Shepherd sacrifices Himself.
Ezekiel 34:2–3 condemns leaders who feed themselves instead of the flock.
Psalm 23:1–3 declares, “The Lord is my shepherd… he restores my soul.”
At Christmas, we remember that the infant in the manger is the Shepherd who would one day carry a cross. His love is not symbolic—it is costly.
John 10:14–15 — “I know my sheep and my sheep know me… and I lay down my life for the sheep.”
Hebrews 13:20 — “Our Lord Jesus… the great Shepherd of the sheep.”
Recognizing Christ as our Shepherd changes how we live:
True joy flows not from circumstances, but from belonging.
This Christmas, may we discern the false distractions and embrace Jesus Christ, the true Shepherd, who alone brings authentic transformation and lasting joy. 🎄✝️
Reflection Questions
Evaluating Fruit:
Jesus says we recognize false voices by their fruit (Matthew 7:16). What “fruit” do you see in your life right now—peace, joy, patience—or stress, anxiety, and comparison? What might that reveal about what is shaping your heart?
Following vs. Familiarity:
It is possible to know about Jesus without truly following Him. In what ways are you actively following the Shepherd, and where might you be settling for familiarity instead of obedience?
Shepherding Influences:
Who or what has the greatest influence over your thoughts, priorities, and decisions during the Christmas season? How can you intentionally place Christ at the center of those influences?
Trust in the Valley:
Psalm 23 reminds us that the Shepherd walks with us through dark valleys. How does trusting Jesus as your Shepherd change how you face uncertainty, grief, or unmet expectations this Christmas?
Carrying Christmas Forward:
Christmas celebrates Christ coming into the world. What would it look like for you to carry the presence and priorities of Jesus into the new year, rather than leaving Him behind with the season?
Closing Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, I thank You for the gift of Your Son, Jesus Christ, our true Shepherd. In a season filled with many voices and promises, help me to discern what is true and lasting. Guard my heart from deception that looks appealing but leads me away from You.
Jesus, I confess that at times I will seek joy in temporary things. Draw me back to You the One who laid down His life for the sheep. Teach me to recognize Your voice, to follow You with trust, and to rest in Your care.
This Christmas, take away the distractions and refocus my heart on Your presence. Fill me with the deep, abiding joy that comes from knowing that I am loved, redeemed, and led by You. May my life reflect the peace, hope, and transformation that only You can bring.
I choose You, Lord the one true Shepherd, the Savior born in a manger, and the King who reigns forever. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Getting to Know Him
Do you want eternal life? Do you want to enter heaven through the only guide that can help you navigate your way there? To enter His home, get to know Him better, and make Him your Lord and Savior CLICK HERE…..
Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant
Dear Heavenly Father, be my guide and protect me from these things that surround me that I do not understand or that influence me in ways that are not from You. Lord I want to be and act as close to You as You’ve always wanted Your children to be. Lord give the strength to stand against the evil in this world, the distractions and influences. Help me to not fear and worry about these issues that continue to affect everything around us. Thank you Lord for Your protection, direction, and love. In Jesus Name Amen
Getting to Know Him
Do you want eternal life? Do you want to enter heaven through the only guide that can help you navigate your way there? To enter His home, get to know Him better, and make Him your Lord and Savior CLICK HERE…..
I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.
Dear Heavenly Father, be my guide and protect me from these things that surround me that I do not understand or that influence me in ways that are not from You. Lord I want to be and act as close to You as You’ve always wanted Your children to be. Lord give the strength to stand against the evil in this world, the distractions and influences. Help me to not fear and worry about these issues that continue to affect everything around us. Thank you Lord for Your protection, direction, and love. In Jesus Name Amen
Getting to Know Him
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Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God unto the shepherds; Woe be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! should not the shepherds feed the flocks?Ye eat the fat, and ye clothe you with the wool, ye kill them that are fed: but ye feed not the flock.
Dear Heavenly Father, be my guide and protect me from these things that surround me that I do not understand or that influence me in ways that are not from You. Lord I want to be and act as close to You as You’ve always wanted Your children to be. Lord give the strength to stand against the evil in this world, the distractions and influences. Help me to not fear and worry about these issues that continue to affect everything around us. Thank you Lord for Your protection, direction, and love. In Jesus Name Amen
Getting to Know Him
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For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.
Dear Heavenly Father, be my guide and protect me from these things that surround me that I do not understand or that influence me in ways that are not from You. Lord I want to be and act as close to You as You’ve always wanted Your children to be. Lord give the strength to stand against the evil in this world, the distractions and influences. Help me to not fear and worry about these issues that continue to affect everything around us. Thank you Lord for Your protection, direction, and love. In Jesus Name Amen
Getting to Know Him
Do you want eternal life? Do you want to enter heaven through the only guide that can help you navigate your way there? To enter His home, get to know Him better, and make Him your Lord and Savior CLICK HERE…..
The True Shepherd: Discernment, Deception, and Deep Joy at Christmas
Introduction: Seeking True Joy in a Season of Many Voices
Have you ever noticed that Christmas is a season filled with voices calling for our attention. There are some that call us to celebrate. Others that call us to consume. There are some that whisper promises of happiness if only we do more, buy more, or create something perfect. When we look at Scripture we notice that it reminds us that not every voice that sounds comforting speaks truth.
When we read the Bible we see that it calls God’s people to discernment, you know good judgment, especially in moments when the heart is tender and the world is loud. Jesus Himself warned that deception often comes dressed in familiarity and appeal. (Mark 7:9) During Christmas, when distractions are plentiful and expectations are high, believers are called to look beyond surface joy and seek the source of true joy.
By recognizing the presence of false promises masked in allure, as depicted in Matthew 7:15, Christians are called during Christmas to seek the true Shepherd, Jesus Christ, who alone brings salvation and authentic, lasting joy.
2. The Christmas Story Confronts False Hope with True Salvation
Christmas stands as a powerful contradiction to the world’s definition of hope. On the other hand, false hope promises comfort without cost, fulfillment without surrender, and joy without truth. Alternatively the birth of Jesus reveals a hope that is humble, redemptive, and eternal.
God did not come to the world through wealth, status, or spectacle. Rather, He chose a manger, a small forgotten town, and a young couple with little earthly security. That alone confronts the illusion that significance is found in outward success.
With culture, both ancient and modern, that tries to find salvation in power, prosperity, or performance. Christmas should redirect our hearts to a Savior who came in weakness but carried divine authority. The angels never announced a new system, product, or philosophy; instead they proclaimed the arrival of a Savior (Luke 2:11). The good news exposes false hope by revealing that what humanity needs most. Hope has nothing to do with improvement, but in contrast it was through redemption.
False hope tells us we can save ourselves if we try harder or accumulate more. Ben Franklin’s old say “God helps those who helps themselves” is an example. Christmas declares the opposite: salvation is a gift, freely given by God through Christ. Jesus’ birth fulfilled God’s promises, proving that true hope rests not in temporary solutions but through God’s faithfulness. Emmanuel, God with us, means that God stepped into human brokenness to restore what was taken from us and lost.
Finally, Christmas confronts every counterfeit promise, every lie, and every distraction with the truth that lasting joy flows from reconciliation with God. With Jesus, hope is no longer fragile or fleeting. It is living, secure, and anchored in the reality that God has come near so He can save His people.
The birth of Jesus stands in direct opposition to the world’s counterfeit, fake, and simulated promises. God did not choose to send His Son into wealth, comfort, or applause. He sent Him into humility, obscurity, and sacrifice.
Luke 2:7 — “She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.”
A. Christ-centered Christmas restores our understanding of joy
When choosing to have a Christ-centered Christmas you’ll redefine joy by anchoring it not in circumstances, traditions, or material abundance, but in the unchanging truth of who Jesus is and why He came. You can see that biblical joy is not the fleeting happiness the world advertises that is dependent on perfect moments, full calendars, or perfectly ideal outcomes. Alternatively, it is a deep, steady assurance that is rooted in God’s presence and promises.
When we place Christ at the center, we will see that joy entered the world quietly and humbly. Jesus was born not into comfort, but into surrender; not into applause, but into obedience. This should remind us that true joy is not found in having everything go right, but in realizing that God has come near. “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us” (John 1:14). Joy flows from Emmanuel, which means God with us.
A Christ-centered Christmas will restore joy by shifting our focus from consumption to celebration, from performance to worship. The angels did not announce a product or an event, but a Savior: “I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people” (Luke 2:10). This joy is been mad accessible to all, regardless of status, success, or season of life. You need to know it is grounded in salvation, not circumstances.
Finally, when we center Christmas around Christ it reminds us that joy is sustained, not seasonal. The baby that came to us in the manger is the Shepherd who walks with us not only in December the entire year. We will see He will carrying us through hardship, restoring our souls, and leading us in peace (Psalm 23:1–3). If we keep Jesus as our focus, the Christmas joy does not fade when decorations come down. It deepens, becoming a way of life rooted in hope, redemption, and eternal truth.
The world often says joy needs to be manufactured. Scripture says joy is received.
Luke 2:10–11 — “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today… a Savior has been born to you.”
Isaiah 9:6 — “For to us a child is born… and he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
Jesus did not come to improve your circumstances; He came to redeem hearts. In a culture that increasingly commercializes Christmas, believers are reminded that joy is not found in what we exchange, but in whom we worship.
John 1:14— “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.”
Romans 15:13 — “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him.”
When you keep Christ central, Christmas becomes more than a tradition, it becomes transformation.
This Christmas, may we discern the false distractions and embrace Jesus Christ, the true Shepherd, who alone brings authentic transformation and lasting joy. 🎄✝️
Reflection Questions
Discernment at Christmas: In what ways do you notice “false promises” or distractions competing for your attention during the Christmas season? How do these compare with the peace and joy Christ offers?
Recognizing the Shepherd’s Voice: Jesus says His sheep know His voice (John 10:27). What practices help you recognize and respond to the voice of the true Shepherd in your daily life?
Sheep’s Clothing: Matthew 7:15 warns that deception can look harmless or even spiritual. Are there beliefs, habits, or expectations you’ve accepted that may be shaping your joy more than Christ?
Source of Joy: When Christmas is over and the decorations are gone, where does your joy tend to rest? How can you more intentionally anchor your joy in Jesus rather than circumstances?
Living Transformed: If Jesus truly is your Shepherd, what is one area of your life where He may be calling you to deeper trust, obedience, or surrender this season?
Closing Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, I thank You for the gift of Your Son, Jesus Christ, our true Shepherd. In a season filled with many voices and promises, help me to discern what is true and lasting. Guard my heart from deception that looks appealing but leads me away from You.
Jesus, I confess that at times I will seek joy in temporary things. Draw me back to You the One who laid down His life for the sheep. Teach me to recognize Your voice, to follow You with trust, and to rest in Your care.
This Christmas, take away the distractions and refocus my heart on Your presence. Fill me with the deep, abiding joy that comes from knowing that I am loved, redeemed, and led by You. May my life reflect the peace, hope, and transformation that only You can bring.
I choose You, Lord the one true Shepherd, the Savior born in a manger, and the King who reigns forever. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Getting to Know Him
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Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him.
In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in Christ, things in heaven and things on earth in him.
In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory.
In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.
Dear Heavenly Father, be my guide and protect me from these things that surround me that I do not understand or that influence me in ways that are not from You. Lord I want to be and act as close to You as You’ve always wanted Your children to be. Lord give the strength to stand against the evil in this world, the distractions and influences. Help me to not fear and worry about these issues that continue to affect everything around us. Thank you Lord for Your protection, direction, and love. In Jesus Name Amen
Getting to Know Him
Do you want eternal life? Do you want to enter heaven through the only guide that can help you navigate your way there? To enter His home, get to know Him better, and make Him your Lord and Savior CLICK HERE…..
The True Shepherd: Discernment, Deception, and Deep Joy at Christmas
Introduction: Seeking True Joy in a Season of Many Voices
Have you ever noticed that Christmas is a season filled with voices calling for our attention. There are some that call us to celebrate. Others that call us to consume. There are some that whisper promises of happiness if only we do more, buy more, or create something perfect. When we look at Scripture we notice that it reminds us that not every voice that sounds comforting speaks truth.
When we read the Bible we see that it calls God’s people to discernment, you know good judgment, especially in moments when the heart is tender and the world is loud. Jesus Himself warned that deception often comes dressed in familiarity and appeal. (Mark 7:9) During Christmas, when distractions are plentiful and expectations are high, believers are called to look beyond surface joy and seek the source of true joy.
By recognizing the presence of false promises masked in allure, as depicted in Matthew 7:15, Christians are called during Christmas to seek the true Shepherd, Jesus Christ, who alone brings salvation and authentic, lasting joy.
1. A Loving Warning: Beware of Deceptive Influences
Matthew 7:15“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.”
Jesus’ words are both sobering and compassionate. This is our shepherds warning because the danger is real. Realize that false prophets and deceptive influences rarely announce themselves as threats. Instead, threats will appear harmless, attractive, and even beneficial. They look like sheep but they do not love the flock.
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itchingears2 Timothy 4:3
A. Deception often appears beautiful and comforting
There are multiple times in the Bible where it teaches us that deception rarely announces itself as evil or dangerous. Rather, in most cases it arrives quietly, clothed something that looks good, reasonable, or even godly. The Bible reveals that falsehood is most effective when it imitates truth closely enough to avoid any kind of immediate suspicion. This is why discernment is highlighted so strongly throughout God’s Word.
Jesus warned us that false prophets will come “in sheep’s clothing” (Matthew 7:15), they’ll appear harmless and familiar while concealing destructive intent. We are also told by the apostle Paul that “Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light” (2 Corinthians 11:14), reminding believers that deception looks attractive, enlightened, or compassionate rather than dark and threatening. Be aware that what is false does not always feel wrong at first it will often feel comfortable, convincing, and even affirming.
When you focus on the bible it also teaches that the human heart can be easily misled when truth is mixed with error. Proverbs 14:12 states, “There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death.” This is a warning that sincerity and appearance are not a reliable measure of truth. Some paths may seem logical, culturally acceptable, or emotionally satisfying, but will lead us away from God’s will.
Understand deception is subtle, the Bible over and over again calls believers to test what they hear and see against God’s truth. “Do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God” (1 John 4:1). When we use true discernment it does not rely on feelings or appearances but on alignment with Scripture and the character of Christ.
We can see that the Bible makes it clear that deception thrives in disguise, while truth, no matter how disruptive, endures examination. This is why it it is important for God’s people are called to remain rooted in His Word. They need to be sensitive to His Spirit, and attentive to the voice of the true Shepherd, who alone leads into life and light.
Scripture frequently warns that deception, deceit, and fraud does not come in obvious darkness, but in subtle disguise and camouflage:
Proverbs 14:12 — “There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death.”
During Christmas, there are deceptive influences can take many forms:
There is a push to believe that joy comes from perfection rather than presence
The idea is pressed that peace comes from avoidance rather than surrender
There is the assumption that fulfillment comes from abundance rather than with Christ
Without good judgment, believers can be diverted from the heart of Christmas while still appearing faithful. Jesus warns us not to judge by appearance, but by fruit (Matthew 7:16). True hope produces repentance, peace, humility, and love. It should not create exhaustion, comparison, or emptiness.
This Christmas, may we discern the false distractions and embrace Jesus Christ, the true Shepherd, who alone brings authentic transformation and lasting joy. 🎄✝️
Reflection Questions
Discernment at Christmas: In what ways do you notice “false promises” or distractions competing for your attention during the Christmas season? How do these compare with the peace and joy Christ offers?
Recognizing the Shepherd’s Voice: Jesus says His sheep know His voice (John 10:27). What practices help you recognize and respond to the voice of the true Shepherd in your daily life?
Sheep’s Clothing: Matthew 7:15 warns that deception can look harmless or even spiritual. Are there beliefs, habits, or expectations you’ve accepted that may be shaping your joy more than Christ?
Source of Joy: When Christmas is over and the decorations are gone, where does your joy tend to rest? How can you more intentionally anchor your joy in Jesus rather than circumstances?
Living Transformed: If Jesus truly is your Shepherd, what is one area of your life where He may be calling you to deeper trust, obedience, or surrender this season?
Closing Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, I thank You for the gift of Your Son, Jesus Christ, our true Shepherd. In a season filled with many voices and promises, help me to discern what is true and lasting. Guard my heart from deception that looks appealing but leads me away from You.
Jesus, I confess that at times I will seek joy in temporary things. Draw me back to You the One who laid down His life for the sheep. Teach me to recognize Your voice, to follow You with trust, and to rest in Your care.
This Christmas, take away the distractions and refocus my heart on Your presence. Fill me with the deep, abiding joy that comes from knowing that I am loved, redeemed, and led by You. May my life reflect the peace, hope, and transformation that only You can bring.
I choose You, Lord the one true Shepherd, the Savior born in a manger, and the King who reigns forever. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Getting to Know Him
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The waiting is over! All 300 prophecies have been fulfilled. The Light that dawned in Bethlehem now shines for the whole world to see.
Christmas is more than a celebration of a birth, it is the coronation of the King of the Universe. The eternal Word who became flesh, (John 1:1) the baby born in humility, is none other than the King of glory. He laid in the manger and rose to the throne. The life, and story of Jesus is the story of God’s love made visible.
And now because heaven and earth rejoice, we can join in declaring: Christ the King has come!
The Wise Men’s Journey — Seeking the King
“After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, ‘Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw His star when it rose and have come to worship Him.’” — Matthew 2:1–2
When the shepherds in Israel were rejoicing at the angel’s message, there were wise men from distant lands that studied the skies and followed a star. They weren’t Jews, yet God revealed to them that a divine King had been born. They traveled hundreds of miles through deserts, danger, and uncertainty because their hearts were drawn to worship.
When the wisemen arrived in Jerusalem it startled Herod, who ruled with fear and paranoia. He felt threatened by any mention of another king. But the Magi weren’t looking for a new political leader. Instead they were seeking the Messiah, the one King whose reign will never end.
Herod’s palace represented worldly power; the manger represented heavenly purpose. These Magi found what Herod was never able to grasp. The presence of God wrapped in humanity.
“They bowed down and worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.” (Matthew 2:11)
Their gifts were deeply symbolic:
Gold for His royalty — the King of kings.
Frankincense for His deity — the High Priest of heaven.
Myrrh for His sacrifice — the Savior who would die for the world.
Even when He was a baby, Jesus was recognized as the King, God, and Redeemer.
The Humble King Exalted
Though Jesus came in humility, His destiny was glory. Paul captures this beautifully in Philippians 2:5–11:
“Christ Jesus, who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to His own advantage; rather, He made Himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant and being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to death — even death on a cross. Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
As we study the word more we’ll see the manger points to the cross, and the cross points to the throne. The humility of His birth paved the way for the victory of His resurrection. The King who came to serve will one day return to reign.
Christmas was by no means the beginning of His story it’s been part of the unveiling of God’s eternal plan to bring heaven to earth.
He Reigns Forever
The Book of Revelation reveals what is beyond Bethlehem and opens our eyes to the throne of eternity:
“The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Messiah, and He will reign for ever and ever.” — Revelation 11:15
The baby who had no place to go slept in a manger and now rules with power and majesty. The same Jesus who was swaddled and laid down in hay will one day reign over heaven and earth.
The humble and helpless infant lived and became the risen Savior and the risen Savior is the returning King.
At Christmas, we have an opportunity to celebrate both His coming then and His return. He came once to redeem; and when He returns He will come again to reign. With every star, every song, every candle lit in the darkness pointing directly to this eternal truth:
The King has come, and He is coming again.
A Kingdom for All People
From the beginning, God’s plan was not limited to one race or nation. The visit of the wise men shows that Jesus came to save the whole world, for Jew and Gentile, for shepherd and scholar, not only for the poor but the powerful alike.
“Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn.”
That prophecy becomes reality in the Magi’s journey, the nations bowing before the newborn King.
Today, we continue with their worship. Now every Christmas carol that gets sung in a different language, every believer that is lifting hands in another part of the world, is part of that same story. “The Light that began in Bethlehem now shines across the nations.”
Our Response “Worship the King“
The wise men came with gifts. We also have something to bring, our hearts, our obedience, and our praise.
Gold, frankincense, and myrrh represented the best of what they had. Our worship today does the same. When we give Jesus our time, our love, our lives we honor Him as King.
When we worship know that it is more than a song; it’s a surrender. When we kneel before Christ and say, “You are Lord,” we join the chorus of heaven.
Reflection for the Week
What does Jesus’ kingship mean to you personally?
How can you “offer” your own form of worship this Christmas; time, service, gratitude, or love?
How does remembering that Jesus will return as King shape the way you celebrate His birth?
Personal Application
This week, let your Christmas celebration become a coronation. Every prayer, every song, every shared moment with loved ones is an opportunity to declare: “Christ is King.”
When you gather around the tree, sitting down with family, or the table, remember the same Jesus who came in humility now reigns in glory, and one day every eye will see Him.
Take a quiet moment this week to pray and reflect:
Dear Heavenly Father, I worship You as my King. You came in love, lived in truth, and reign in glory. Let my heart be Yours. Help me so that May my life will reflect Your kingdom being full of grace, truth, and light. This Christmas, I celebrate not just Your birth, but Your reign forever. In Jesus Name Amen.
Final Thought
The story of Christmas doesn’t end with the manger it continues in the hearts of all who believe. The same light that shone in Bethlehem now shines in you. And as you carry that light into a dark world, you fulfill the song of the angels:
“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men.”
Christ the King has come and He is with us still.
Getting to Know Him
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And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.
Dear Heavenly Father, be my guide and protect me from these things that surround me that I do not understand or that influence me in ways that are not from You. Lord I want to be and act as close to You as You’ve always wanted Your children to be. Lord give the strength to stand against the evil in this world, the distractions and influences. Help me to not fear and worry about these issues that continue to affect everything around us. Thank you Lord for Your protection, direction, and love. In Jesus Name Amen
Getting to Know Him
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And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.
Dear Heavenly Father, be my guide and protect me from these things that surround me that I do not understand or that influence me in ways that are not from You. Lord I want to be and act as close to You as You’ve always wanted Your children to be. Lord give the strength to stand against the evil in this world, the distractions and influences. Help me to not fear and worry about these issues that continue to affect everything around us. Thank you Lord for Your protection, direction, and love. In Jesus Name Amen
Getting to Know Him
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Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Dear Heavenly Father, be my guide and protect me from these things that surround me that I do not understand or that influence me in ways that are not from You. Lord I want to be and act as close to You as You’ve always wanted Your children to be. Lord give the strength to stand against the evil in this world, the distractions and influences. Help me to not fear and worry about these issues that continue to affect everything around us. Thank you Lord for Your protection, direction, and love. In Jesus Name Amen
Getting to Know Him
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Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.
Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also. When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.
When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh. And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.
Dear Heavenly Father, be my guide and protect me from these things that surround me that I do not understand or that influence me in ways that are not from You. Lord I want to be and act as close to You as You’ve always wanted Your children to be. Lord give the strength to stand against the evil in this world, the distractions and influences. Help me to not fear and worry about these issues that continue to affect everything around us. Thank you Lord for Your protection, direction, and love. In Jesus Name Amen
Getting to Know Him
Do you want eternal life? Do you want to enter heaven through the only guide that can help you navigate your way there? To enter His home, get to know Him better, and make Him your Lord and Savior CLICK HERE…..
Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.
Dear Heavenly Father, be my guide and protect me from these things that surround me that I do not understand or that influence me in ways that are not from You. Lord I want to be and act as close to You as You’ve always wanted Your children to be. Lord give the strength to stand against the evil in this world, the distractions and influences. Help me to not fear and worry about these issues that continue to affect everything around us. Thank you Lord for Your protection, direction, and love. In Jesus Name Amen
Getting to Know Him
Do you want eternal life? Do you want to enter heaven through the only guide that can help you navigate your way there? To enter His home, get to know Him better, and make Him your Lord and Savior CLICK HERE…..
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
Dear Heavenly Father, be my guide and protect me from these things that surround me that I do not understand or that influence me in ways that are not from You. Lord I want to be and act as close to You as You’ve always wanted Your children to be. Lord give the strength to stand against the evil in this world, the distractions and influences. Help me to not fear and worry about these issues that continue to affect everything around us. Thank you Lord for Your protection, direction, and love. In Jesus Name Amen
Getting to Know Him
Do you want eternal life? Do you want to enter heaven through the only guide that can help you navigate your way there? To enter His home, get to know Him better, and make Him your Lord and Savior CLICK HERE…..
The angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be to all the people.
Dear Heavenly Father, be my guide and protect me from these things that surround me that I do not understand or that influence me in ways that are not from You. Lord I want to be and act as close to You as You’ve always wanted Your children to be. Lord give the strength to stand against the evil in this world, the distractions and influences. Help me to not fear and worry about these issues that continue to affect everything around us. Thank you Lord for Your protection, direction, and love. In Jesus Name Amen
Getting to Know Him
Do you want eternal life? Do you want to enter heaven through the only guide that can help you navigate your way there? To enter His home, get to know Him better, and make Him your Lord and Savior CLICK HERE…..
For there is born to you today, in David’s city, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
Dear Heavenly Father, be my guide and protect me from these things that surround me that I do not understand or that influence me in ways that are not from You. Lord I want to be and act as close to You as You’ve always wanted Your children to be. Lord give the strength to stand against the evil in this world, the distractions and influences. Help me to not fear and worry about these issues that continue to affect everything around us. Thank you Lord for Your protection, direction, and love. In Jesus Name Amen
Getting to Know Him
Do you want eternal life? Do you want to enter heaven through the only guide that can help you navigate your way there? To enter His home, get to know Him better, and make Him your Lord and Savior CLICK HERE…..
By their fruits you will know them. Do you gather grapes from thorns or figs from thistles?
Dear Heavenly Father, be my guide and protect me from these things that surround me that I do not understand or that influence me in ways that are not from You. Lord I want to be and act as close to You as You’ve always wanted Your children to be. Lord give the strength to stand against the evil in this world, the distractions and influences. Help me to not fear and worry about these issues that continue to affect everything around us. Thank you Lord for Your protection, direction, and love. In Jesus Name Amen
Getting to Know Him
Do you want eternal life? Do you want to enter heaven through the only guide that can help you navigate your way there? To enter His home, get to know Him better, and make Him your Lord and Savior CLICK HERE…..
There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
Dear Heavenly Father, be my guide and protect me from these things that surround me that I do not understand or that influence me in ways that are not from You. Lord I want to be and act as close to You as You’ve always wanted Your children to be. Lord give the strength to stand against the evil in this world, the distractions and influences. Help me to not fear and worry about these issues that continue to affect everything around us. Thank you Lord for Your protection, direction, and love. In Jesus Name Amen
Getting to Know Him
Do you want eternal life? Do you want to enter heaven through the only guide that can help you navigate your way there? To enter His home, get to know Him better, and make Him your Lord and Savior CLICK HERE…..
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itchingears;
Dear Heavenly Father, be my guide and protect me from these things that surround me that I do not understand or that influence me in ways that are not from You. Lord I want to be and act as close to You as You’ve always wanted Your children to be. Lord give the strength to stand against the evil in this world, the distractions and influences. Help me to not fear and worry about these issues that continue to affect everything around us. Thank you Lord for Your protection, direction, and love. In Jesus Name Amen
Getting to Know Him
Do you want eternal life? Do you want to enter heaven through the only guide that can help you navigate your way there? To enter His home, get to know Him better, and make Him your Lord and Savior CLICK HERE…..
Jesus’ story didn’t end in the manger. Forty days later, Mary and Joseph brought Him to the temple in Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord, just as the Law of Moses required.
There were two elderly saints, Simeon and Anna, there waiting. They had spent their entire lives in expectation of the coming Messiah with their eyes set on heaven’s promise. And when they saw Jesus, they knew without a doubt this is the One.
The Long Wait of Faith
“Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him.” —Luke 2:25
Simeon’s name means “he who hears.” He had been listening for the voice of God his whole life, and what he heard was a promise:
“It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah.” (v. 26)
We aren’t told how long he waited, maybe years, perhaps decades, but Simeon never gave up hope. Every sunrise, he would look toward the temple wondering, Is today the day? His faith didn’t fade with time; it only grew stronger.
Waiting will often test us. Naturally, we all want quick answers, even instant results. We should use Simeons example because it shows that true faith trusts God’s timing even when the clock seems to be silent. He believed what God said, even before he saw it.
Simeons faith is what makes Christmas so powerful, it’s the moment waiting that turned to fulfillment. God’s promises may take time, but they never fail.
Led by the Spirit, Guided by Hope
“Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for Him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took Him in his arms and praised God.” (Luke 2:27–28)
Can you imagine the scene: Simeon, now an old man, suddenly feels a holy nudge from the Spirit, GO NOW. It was At that exact moment, Mary and Joseph arrived with their infant Son. Like always God’s timing was perfect once again.
Simeon exuberantly approaches, takes the baby into his arms, and worships. His words, known as the “Nunc Dimittis“, are some of the most beautiful in all Scripture:
“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
In that moment, Simeon understood what few yet realized: Jesus wasn’t just Israel’s Messiah, He was Savior of the world.
The baby, barely forty days old, was the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy:
“I will make You a light for the Gentiles, that My salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.” (Isaiah 49:6)
A Light to the Nations
When Simeon called Jesus “a light for revelation to the Gentiles,” he was declaring something momentous. Israel’s Messiah, Savior, was never meant to bless just one nation alone, He came as the light to shine for all.
Centuries earlier, Isaiah had written:
“I, the Lord, have called You in righteousness; I will take hold of Your hand. I will keep You and will make You to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles, to open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison.” (Isaiah 42:6–7)
At this point, that prophecy was alive and breathing in Simeon’s arms.
This theme of light runs throughout Scripture:
In creation, God said, “Let there be light.” (Genesis 1:3)
In prophecy, He promised, “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light.” (Isaiah 9:2)
And in fulfillment, Jesus declared, “I am the light of the world.” (John 8:12)
With every candle on a Christmas tree, every twinkle in the night sky, they all point us back to this truth, Christ is the Light that never fades.
Anna’s Joyful Witness
Simeon wasn’t the only one waiting. There was another waiting nearby Anna, a prophetess, whose name means “grace.”
“There was also a prophet, Anna… she was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying.” (Luke 2:36–37)
Anna was someone who had known sorrow, she had been a widow for decades, lived for years in solitude, but with it she turned her pain into prayer. While others might have grown bitter, Anna on the other hand only grew more devoted. She made her life a living offering of worship.
When she saw Jesus, she instantly knew.
“Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.” (v. 38)
Just like Simeon, she didn’t keep silent. Instead She spoke up about the child, letting everyone who would listen know that the Redeemer had come.
Anna’s example shows us that waiting is never wasted when it’s filled with worship. Her lesson teaches us that joy is found not in what we possess, but in who we behold.
Revelation and Response
With Simeon and Anna, we can see two pictures of faithful expectation:
Both remind us that God reveals Himself to those who are faithful in the waiting.
We need to consider and remember that sometimes, like them, we don’t see God’s promises fulfilled right away. But if we remain patient and steadfast, we too will see His faithfulness. It might not be the way we expect, but it is always in the way we need.
Their story bridges the gap between the Old and New, between prophecy and fulfillment, longing and arrival, darkness and light. Through them, we see that Jesus’ birth wasn’t just the fulfillment of Israel’s hope; it was the dawn of salvation for all humanity.
Reflection for the Week
How do you handle seasons of waiting in your spiritual life?
What does it mean to you that Jesus is “a light for revelation to the nations”?
Are there promises from God you’ve been waiting on — and can you trust His timing like Simeon and Anna did?
Personal Application
This week, take time to “wait in worship.” Take time to spend quiet moments in prayer every day, not asking for anything, but simply thanking God for His faithfulness. (Psalm 119:15)
Light a candle each evening, not as ritual but as a tool to reflect on Jesus, the true Light of the world. As the flame glows, remember and consider that His light still shines in the darkness, through you, and through His Church.
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for being the Light that never fades. Teach me how to have the patience to wait on You with faith like Simeon and have pure worship like Anna. Let my life reflect Your light to the world, so others may see Your salvation and give You glory. Thank you Lord for everything you have done and do in my life. In Jesus Name Amen
Getting to Know Him
Do you want eternal life? Do you want to enter heaven through the only guide that can help you navigate your way there? To enter His home, get to know Him better, and make Him your Lord and Savior CLICK HERE…..
Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravening wolves.
Dear Heavenly Father, be my guide and protect me from these things that surround me that I do not understand or that influence me in ways that are not from You. Lord I want to be and act as close to You as You’ve always wanted Your children to be. Lord give the strength to stand against the evil in this world, the distractions and influences. Help me to not fear and worry about these issues that continue to affect everything around us. Thank you Lord for Your protection, direction, and love. In Jesus Name Amen
Getting to Know Him
Do you want eternal life? Do you want to enter heaven through the only guide that can help you navigate your way there? To enter His home, get to know Him better, and make Him your Lord and Savior CLICK HERE…..
Drink of Jesus 
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