Matthew 2:3-8, 13; Luke 2:25-38 (NIV)

When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people's chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born. ''In Bethlehem in Judea,'' they replied, ''for this is what the prophet has written:

'''But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for out of you will come a ruler
who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.'''

Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, ''Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.''

...

When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. ''Get up,'' he said, ''take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.''

...

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 upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Christ. 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, saying:

''Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,
you now dismiss your servant in peace.
For my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you have prepared in the sight of all people,
a light for revelation to the Gentiles
and for glory to your people Israel.''

The child's father and mother marveled at what was said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: ''This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.''

There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. 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. 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.

----------------------------------------

The preceding passages of Scripture display three different responses to the birth of Jesus and the prophecies surrounding it. The chief priests and teachers of the law knew the prophecies, but their knowledge did not produce a faith that made them await the coming Messiah. If they had any thoughts of Jesus possibly being the Messiah, they are not recorded in Scripture. King Herod did not know the prophecies, but when he heard the news, he believed that the king of the Jews had been born. His belief, however, did not equal faith. He was worried solely about self-preservation and quickly made plans to murder the infant.

These two responses contrast sharply with that of Simeon and Anna. These two elderly prophets not only knew the Messianic prophecies, but had faith enough to await his coming. When Jesus was brought to the temple, they accepted him as the long-expected Savior.

This Christmas, in the midst of the busyness, family, and gifts, it is appropriate to ask yourself whose response most closely mirrors your own. Are you like the chief priests and teachers, knowing the story of Jesus, but not believing it? Are you like Herod, believing the story, but not having faith in it? Or are you like Simeon and Anna, knowing the story, believing the story, and allowing the story to transform your life? All the gifts in the world mean nothing if you do not accept the gift that God offered on that first Christmas.

''Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!'' (2 Corinthians 9:15)