Now that Christmas Day has passed, let’s try to make sense of all that we have experienced in the past few weeks. What is the significance of our celebration? Does this season make any difference in the way we live from now on?

Certainly we carry with us memories of time spent with family and friends—and (hopefully) warm feelings about gifts we have received. But it can also be helpful to be intentional about naming ways in which we have seen God at work during this season.

Mary and Joseph could hardly have imagined how their time of presenting Jesus in the temple would be shaped by the words of Simeon. Looking at Jesus, Simeon saw in this baby the fulfillment of God’s promise of salvation—not just for the world but also for himself personally. Simeon also foresaw that Jesus’ coming would present people with a choice: what will they do when they are presented with the need for salvation?

As we let the message of Christmas sink into our hearts, we too should marvel at Jesus. For this infant is indeed God’s promised salvation, the one who knows our hearts and gives peace to all who seek him with repentance and joy.

Have you marveled at this Christmas gift?