What a touching scene--an aged man holding the baby Jesus in his arms and praising God! (Lk. 2:27-32). Simeon had been assured by the Holy Spirit that he would not die till he had seen the promised Messiah, and he came into the temple at the very moment that Joseph and Mary entered with the baby Jesus.

I once felt that Simeon was more blessed than I am because he had the privilege of actually touching Jesus, but I must believe without seeing or touching Him. Now I realize that he too had to exercise faith. After all, he was holding in his arms an infant born to a couple he had never met before. His assurance came through the witness of the Holy Spirit in his heart, and we must depend on that same witness today.

Near the end of our Lord's time on earth, when He appeared to His disciples after His resurrection, He said to Thomas, "Because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed" (Jn. 20:29). We too, through the eyes of faith, can know Christ in a close, personal way.

As we celebrate Christmas, let's pause to look at the Lord through eyes of faith. When we do, we will be able to lift our voice in praise to God.  — RBC Ministries