Simeon, the old man in the temple, was promised by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death until he saw the promised Redeemer of Israel.

When Mary and Joseph brought the child Jesus to him, he declared that he has seen God’s salvation to the Gentiles and the glory for Israel.

To Simeon, the birth of Jesus was not the main point. It was the coming of the Messiah; the promise of the Savior was the point.

And in no point beyond the Bethlehem’s story do we read of a need to celebrate the birth of Jesus. We are, however, reminded to commemorate His death. Truly it’s not about the birth of Jesus, but like Simeon, it’s the coming of the Savior that we celebrate.

Yet the world celebrates the birth of Jesus during Christmas without truly knowing anything about Him.

We don’t have to truly know anything about a thing in order for us celebrate it. I’m not a soldier, but I celebrate Veterans day. I’m not born American, but I celebrate July 4th. I don’t work on ”Labor” day. So people can celebrate Christmas, for His birth but not for His coming. They can deck the halls with holly without understanding that Jesus came to bring us back to the Father.

To the Christian our celebration is not Jesus at His birth, but Jesus as Lord. The magis did not come for His birth, they came because He was Lord. The angels did not sing out because of His birth, it’s because He is Lord. Simeon did not rejoice for His birth, He worshipped because Jesus is Lord.

Over the years we have come to church. Over the years we have celebrated Christmas. We can and have done all of that while missing the point. Over the years we have commercialized both and lost the point—but Simeon’s story can guide us back.

Celebration and worship are two different things. We can commercialize celebrations, but true worship is beyond commercials. Simeon did not celebrate Jesus’ birth for the birth. He worshiped Jesus for He was the coming of God’s salvation. When you commercialize Jesus, you can celebrate Him without ever worshipping Him.

It’s not just going to church; it’s worshipping Jesus. It’s not just celebrating Christmas; it’s praising God for His promised redemption.

I pray this coming year that we get out of commercialized Christianity—church attendance without worship, singing songs without worship, giving without worship, and even Christmas without worship—celebrating His birth without emphasis on why He came.

Jesus came as the Savior of the world. Jesus came as the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world. Jesus came to bring us eternal life. Jesus came to bring lost sons back to the Father.

Birthdays are celebrated. Jesus is to be worshipped.

I pray this coming year we go beyond just saying “I’m going to church,” we’d continue with “to worship Jesus.”

Those who did not know celebrated the birth of Jesus. But those who the angels told about Jesus, worshipped Him. Mary and Joseph celebrated the birth of Jesus. Simeon, the old man of the Temple, the prophet, worshipped Him.

In 2023 I just don’t want to celebrate, I want to come and worship Him.

Simon the Pharisee celebrated Jesus. The woman at His feet, worshipped him.

The crowd celebrated Jesus. The woman with the issue of blood worshipped Him.

The 9 lepers celebrated Jesus. The one that returned worshipped Him.

In 2023 many will go to church to celebrate Jesus. I want to be one who will come to worship Him. Who’s joining me?