The day Mary and Joseph brought their newborn Son to the temple to present Him to the Lord, Simeon took the child and spoke of Him as a Saviour to Jew and Gentile alike.

This prophecy amazed Mary and Joseph. Then, after such wonderful words, he spoke directly to Mary and told her a dark prophecy. He told the young mother that a day was coming when the Child would break her heart.

Not until one day, years later, when Mary walked outside the walled city of Jerusalem and up the hill of Golgotha to gaze on the bleeding and broken body of her beloved firstborn did she realize what the prophet meant.

Surely her heart broke—as ours should—when we consider why He was there.

Read Isaac Watts words below, and this Christmas have “mournful joy” as you celebrate Advent, your own sorrow for your sin, and joy that your Redeemer came for you. Hallelujah indeed!!

Was it for sins that I had done
He groaned upon the tree?
Amazing pity! grace unknown!
And love beyond degree!

Well might the sun in darkness hide,
And shut His glories in,
When Christ, the mighty Maker, died
For man, His creature’s sin.

Thus might I hide my blushing face
While His dear cross appears.
Dissolve my heart in thankfulness,
And melt mine eyes to tears.

But drops of grief can ne’er repay
The debt of love I owe;
Here, Lord, I give myself away,
’Tis all that I can do.