【双语灵修】为圣诞而惊叹MARVELING AT CHRISTMAS

路加福音 2:21-35

满了八天，就给孩子行割礼，与他起名叫耶稣，这就是没有成胎以前天使所起的名。

按摩西律法满了洁净的日子，他们带着孩子上耶路撒冷去，要把他献于主， 正如主的律法上所记：“凡头生的男子，必称圣归主。” 又要照主的律法上所说，“或用一对斑鸠，或用两只雏鸽”献祭。

在耶路撒冷有一个人名叫西面，这人又公义又虔诚，素常盼望以色列的安慰者来到，又有圣灵在他身上。 他得了圣灵的启示，知道自己未死以前，必看见主所立的基督。 他受了圣灵的感动，进入圣殿，正遇见耶稣的父母抱着孩子进来，要照律法的规矩办理。 西面就用手接过他来，称颂神，说： “主啊，如今可以照你的话，释放仆人安然去世！ 因为我的眼睛已经看见你的救恩， 就是你在万民面前所预备的， 是照亮外邦人的光，又是你民以色列的荣耀。” 孩子的父母因这论耶稣的话就稀奇。 西面给他们祝福，又对孩子的母亲马利亚说：“这孩子被立，是要叫以色列中许多人跌倒、许多人兴起，又要做毁谤的话柄， 叫许多人心里的意念显露出来。你自己的心也要被刀刺透。”

12月26日

为圣诞而惊叹

「孩子的父母因这论他的话就希奇。」 - 路加福音 2:33

圣诞日虽已过去，让我们试着解读过去几周所经历的一切。我们的庆祝有何意义？这个节日会如何影响我们今后的生活？

我们当然带着与亲友共度的回忆，以及（但愿如此）收到礼物时的温暖感受。但刻意数算在这个节日中看见神作为的痕迹，也大有益处。

马利亚和约瑟恐怕从未想过，他们在圣殿献上耶稣的仪式，竟会被西面的话语重塑。西面凝视耶稣，在这婴孩身上看见了神救恩应许的成就了，不仅为全世界，也是为他个人。西面更预言耶稣的来临，将使人面临抉择：当救恩摆在面前时，人将要如何回应呢？

当我们深入领会圣诞信息，也当对耶稣惊叹不已。因为这婴孩确是神应许的救主，祂洞悉人心，将平安赐给一切怀着悔改与喜乐寻求祂的人。

你可曾为这份圣诞礼物而惊叹呢？

祷告

圣洁的耶稣啊，求你让我们的心充满对你这礼物的惊叹。愿我们因你的身份而希奇，并谦卑领受你的救恩。阿们。

Luke 2:21-35

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 26

MARVELING AT CHRISTMAS

The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. —Luke 2:33

Now that Christmas Day has passed, let’s try to make sense of all that we have experienced in the past few weeks. What is the significance of our celebration? Does this season make any difference in the way we live from now on?

Certainly we carry with us memories of time spent with family and friends—and (hopefully) warm feelings about gifts we have received. But it can also be helpful to be intentional about naming ways in which we have seen God at work during this season.

Mary and Joseph could hardly have imagined how their time of presenting Jesus in the temple would be shaped by the words of Simeon. Looking at Jesus, Simeon saw in this baby the fulfillment of God’s promise of salvation—not just for the world but also for himself personally. Simeon also foresaw that Jesus’ coming would present people with a choice: what will they do when they are presented with the need for salvation?

As we let the message of Christmas sink into our hearts, we too should marvel at Jesus. For this infant is indeed God’s promised salvation, the one who knows our hearts and gives peace to all who seek him with repentance and joy.

Have you marveled at this Christmas gift?

Holy Jesus, fill our hearts with wonder at the gift that is you. May we marvel at who you are, and may we humbly receive your salvation. Amen.