NATIVITY By Mike Herron

and Mary gave the ‘offering of the poor,’ two doves and two pigeons. They unknowingly were presenting their little son to be '… the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.' (Rev 13:8 NKV) The second ceremony performed that day was the rite of the 1 st born son. ‘Every 1 st born son had to be presented to Jehovah…to be a priest of the Lord, but since the priesthood had been given to the tribe of Levi, the 1 st born sons were to be bought back from the Lord for the price of 5 shekels.’ 2 Again Joseph and Mary were unknowingly presenting their baby son to become the High Priest of our salvation. 25 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. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27 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, 28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: The appearance of Simeon contrasted the difference between the Law and the coming age of grace. None of the priests who performed the rites of circumcision, purification and dedication recognized the Son of God as he did. Simeon had the Spirit upon him, was receiving revelation from the Holy Spirit as well as being moved and guided by the Holy Spirit. Simeon was waiting for the Messiah, the consolation of Israel; ‘the one who is called to our side for comfort and cheer.’ 3 The coming Holy Spirit would be the 2 nd comforter; ‘And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Comforter.’ (Jn 14:16 NLT) It’s fitting that Simeon saw and recognized the Messiah in the Temple, the center of the Jewish faith. The baby of grace was taken into the arms of the law and pronounced as the salvation of all mankind.