I heard it said recently if all you know is what you see with your natural eyes and hear with your natural ears, then you will not know very much. Now, I believe that. Those who live by the Holy Ghost see and hear, and know much more than those of the world can enjoy. And this story from Christmas illustrates that.

Forty days after the Savior’s birth, Joseph and Mary brought Him to the temple in Jerusalem. Ever since the Passover, the firstborn sons in Israel belonged to the Lord. Therefore Joseph and Mary made an offering in their poverty of two turtledoves to redeem Jesus. To see it another way, Joseph His father made a sacrificial offering to redeem his son just as Heavenly Father would later make a sacrificial offering of His son, and redeem all mankind.

“And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.” (Luke 2:25-26)

On that day, the spirit led Simeon into that crowded temple at the same time that Joseph and Mary were there. With all of Jerusalem as an audience, the Holy Ghost identified Jesus to Simeon. He comes straight to Mary, and lifts the baby out of her arms into his own.

“Lord,” he says in humble praise, “now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word. For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, Which thou hast prepared before the face of all the people; a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.” (Luke 2: 29-32)

Simeon is exultant. He is thrilled to his soul, and joyously happy, for that for which he has lived so long has finally come. Joseph and Mary marvel of those things, which were spoken of him. Very seldom does the Lord ever reveal all of His word all at once. Line upon line, precept upon precept, revelation comes incrementally and in packets to the faithful. Joseph and Mary are no exception. They too are still learning who their son really is.

And then at that point, a strange thing happens. Simeon turns to Mary and speaks to and of her sensitive soul.

“… this child,” he said, as if in warning, “is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against;” (Luke 2:34)

Your son, Mary, will reveal the hearts of all men. He will be both loved and hated. His name will be had for good and evil among all men. Those who love light and truth will come in reverence to Him, and will rise with Him. Those who love darkness rather than light will be exposed, and they will hate Him, and they will fall.

“Yea,” he continues, as if in prophetic illustration, Mary, “a sword [spear] shall pierce through [him to the wounding of] thy [thine] own soul also.” (Luke 2:35) [JST complete 2:35]

What kind of a statement is that to make to a mother in the joy of a newborn son? No wonder everyone ignores this part of the Christmas story. But in this prophecy is embodied the real meaning of Christmas and of the Savior’s life.

As Elder Jeffrey R. Holland put it, “It is life at the other end of the manger that gives this moment of nativity in Bethlehem its ultimate meaning.” (Jeffrey R. Holland, Ricks College Devotional, Dec. 1, 1998, Christmas Comfort)

Gethsemane, Golgotha, and the garden tomb give Christmas and the manger its meaning, and its joy. And this old man about to die, Simeon – he understood that.

My friends, all of us have and will fall. But praise God from whom all blessings flow. Joy to the world indeed, for we can rise again! When we see Christmas as Simeon saw it, this season becomes not one of celebration only – it becomes one of worship. And the joy and the peace – they’re not seasonal. They last all year. And the best gifts become those that express the most love for God and for man. Merry Christmas.