Questions for a Quiet Christmas #29

Mary and Joseph had been through quite a bit with their newborn Son, since before He was born: the angels, the journey, the shepherds. You would think not much could surprise them. But notice their response to the words of Simeon we read yesterday in Luke 2:

 33 And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. 34 And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed 35 (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”

They marveled. They were awestruck when they heard it announced in the temple that Jesus was God's appointed Savior.  Somehow, daily life wears away the things we should marvel at.  Do I still marvel at Who Christ is and what He has done? Simeon goes on to be used by God to give this prophecy about how people will respond to Jesus: many will fall humbly before Him in faith and worship, then join Him in His resurrection. But many will also oppose Him, bringing deep grief not only to Him and His Heavenly Father, but also to Mary.  Are we grieved when others reject Him? I think often we become offended and angry - even vindictive against those who reject Christ, but do we grieve, hurt as God hurts over them? These two questions are well worth our consideration during this quiet Christmas.