It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit

Luke 2:1-35  from the daily reading in the One Year Bible (link available on links page)

Jesus’ Birth in Bethlehem

2 Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth. ² This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. ³ And everyone was on his way to register for the census, each to his own city. ⁴ Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, ⁵ in order to register along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child. ⁶ While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth. ⁷ And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

⁸ In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. ⁹ And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. ¹⁰ But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; ¹¹ for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. ¹² This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” ¹³ And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

¹⁵ When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, “Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.” ¹⁶ So they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger. ¹⁷ When they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child. ¹⁸ And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds. ¹⁹ But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart. ²⁰ The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them.

Jesus Presented at the Temple

²¹ And when eight days had passed, before His circumcision, His name was then called Jesus, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb.

²² And when the days for their purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought Him up to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord ²³ (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male that opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”), ²⁴ and to offer a sacrifice according to what was said in the Law of the Lord, “A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”

²⁵ And there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Spirit was upon him. ²⁶ And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. ²⁷ And he came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to carry out for Him the custom of the Law, ²⁸ then he took Him into his arms, and blessed God, and said,

³³ And His father and mother were amazed at the things which were being said about Him. ³⁴ And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, this Child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and for a sign to be opposed— ³⁵ and a sword will pierce even your own soul—to the end that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”

In today's text, the account of Jesus birth and his presentation at the temple, we see two very different circumstances regarding the revelation that Jesus is the Christ, the savior of all. To the shepherds there was a great angelic appearance. 

 And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. ¹⁰ But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; ¹¹ for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. ¹² This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” ¹³ And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, ¹⁴ “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.”

It was a pretty clear message. The single angel and the glory of the Lord had been enough to get their attention. Then there was a multitude of the heavenly host praising God. These shepherds experienced an encounter with the heavenly realm, for that moment it was on earth as it is in heaven. Still even with all the evidence the shepherds had a decision to make regarding how they would respond. Their response,  “Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.”   Not every one who sees the glory of God and is given a revelation of Christ responds in faith. We have seen how over and over the nation of Israel saw the glory, the  provision and the deliverence of God, yet they would reject or neglect Him. Later during Jesus ministry on earth many  saw the miracles and even heard the voice of God :   

After being baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and lighting on Him, ¹⁷ and behold, a voice out of the heavens said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased.”(Matthew 3:16-17) 

Still some neglected Him. Some rejected Him. Jesus was crucified by the very ones who should have recognized that He was/is the Christ.

In the second account we read of Jesus being brought to the temple in accordance with the Jewish law and custom. There was no fanfare in this instance. No angelic visitation. We simply see a Holy Spirit led servant of God.  His response was:

 then he took Him into his arms, and blessed God, and said,  ²⁹ “Now Lord, You are releasing Your bond-servant to depart in peace, According to Your word; ³⁰ For my eyes have seen Your salvation, ³¹ Which You have prepared in the presence of all peoples, ³² A Light of revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel.”

By the revelation of the Holy Spirit, Simeon saw and understood the truth about this 8 day old child. He knew by the Spirit what the angels declared to the shepherds. The Holy Spirit knows and makes known Christ.      Jesus says:    "I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you. ⁸ And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment...when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come. ¹⁴ He will glorify Me, for He will take of Mine and will disclose it to you. ¹⁵ All things that the Father has are Mine; therefore I said that He takes of Mine and will disclose it to you." (John 16:7-15)

In Matthew 16, when Peter declares that Jesus is the Christ Jesus says that it was a revelation from heaven.    Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” ¹⁷ And Jesus said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. 

Today God may move heaven and earth to bring some one to the knowledge and revelation that Jesus is the Christ. His desire is that none should perish. 2 Peter 3:9 says:

 The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. 

If you are praying for some one you know and love, that they might come to the knowledge that Jesus is the Christ, understand that God desires them to come even more than you. Whether He does it through miraculous means or without fanfare, it is a Holy Spirit revelation they need. It is the Spirit,      He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment.. 

Jesus Himself says: No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him...(John 6:44)

Heavenly Father, Lord Jesus, Holy Spirit I acknowledge and testify that Jesus is the Christ, the King of kings, the Lord of lords and the Savior of all. I pray, though Father, that You would draw those I love to Jesus. I pray that You Holy Spirit would give them a revelation that Jesus is the Christ. That He is their Savior. I pray that You would prepare them to receive this revelation and knowledge. I know Father, all that You did for me. I give them to You Father,  Jesus and Holy Spirit. Thy will be done. I ask that You give me wisdom to know how to allow You to work in their lives. I know You love them even more than I. Heavenly Father, Lord Jesus, Holy Spirit I yield to You and I will be about Your business, doing what You call me to do and trusting You with those I love.     Amen