Carols Devotional: “O Come All Ye Faithful, Part 1”

O Come, All Ye Faithful

Luke 2: 25-28

The first line of this famous carol seems to be an announcement to the loyal who had been eagerly awaiting the promised Savior.  God’s people and their cities were in ruins because of sin and they could not rescue themselves.  Many prophesies foretold of the Savior who would come to deliver and restore them; thus, many were expectant of the Savior’s arrival.  Yet, the prophesy of Simeon is exceptional because his faithful expectation allowed him to live until he had seen the Lord!

Scripture reads that after he beheld the Savior, Simeon was ready to die.  It seems odd that he was ready to die when Israel was still broken in spirit and oppressed.  Although he did not experience Israel’s deliverance first hand, Simeon declared, “I have seen your salvation, which you have prepared for all people.”  Simeon could “see” the salvation because he knew that if this part of the prophesy was fulfilled, then the entire prophesy was fulfilled (Luke 4:17-21)—captives would be released, the blind would see, the oppressed would be set free and the Lord’s favor would return to His people.  Because of Jesus, there would now be exchanges of beauty for ashes, festive praise for despair (Isaiah 61:3). They had to come to Bethlehem to behold the good news, to see God’s favor first hand.  And we must come joyful and triumphant because Jesus’ birth was not just for Salvation then, but for salvation now.

Katina Evans