Sermon Summary

Dr. Roberts, senior pastor of Loma Linda University Seventh-day Adventist Church was visiting over the holidays and brought a message appropriate for the Christmas season - A Prophetic Noel.
Is Christmas the most boring day of the year or the most exciting day of the year?

Luke 2:33-35 Joseph and Mary are greeted by Simeon.

Webster defines Noel as a Christmas carol or Christmas saying.

Simeon really was performing a baby dedication. There are appropriate and inappropriate things to say at every occasion. Simeon said some things that were inappropriate.

His words like a sword pierced Mary's soul. Many will speak against him. It was only a few years later that this was true.

Christmas Leads to Calvery

What happens to this child as he grows up, happens so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed.
Calvery is the apex of history. It's on Calvery that the heart of God was revealed. It was also when the heart of the adversary was revealed.
Desire of Ages page 57: "At the cross of Calvery, love and selfishness stood face to face."

The hearts of human beings are revealed also. Consider the Pharisees. But also the followers of Christ. Jesus stood alone. Listening ot the disciples earlier, you wouldn't expect him to be alone. Peter, where are you? John, James? Our hearts are also revealed at Calvery.
Desire of Ages page 57: "Here was their crowning manifestation. Christ had lived only to comfort and bless, and in putting him to death, Satan manifested the malignity of his hatred against God."

Calvery Leads to Clarity

One instant revealed what is in a person's heart.
The cross demonstrates the love of God, the highest, best plans for man.
Calvery demonstrates the hatred of humanity, the lowest, worst rebellion against God.

And finally,

Clarity Leads to Conclusion

Simeon's words continue. This child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel. He would make conlusions about who he was and everyone would have to decide; to draw conclusions about who he is.

It's just a simple Christmas story, but Simeon leads us to a conclusion about who this baby is. Simeon's words seem so inappropriate, but in a few short words he tells us that:

Christmas Leads to Calvary

Calvary Leads to Clarity

Clarity Leads to Conclusion

And so we are left with decisions.