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Now consider a few who recognized Jesus right away
Simeon and Anna recognized Jesus at his circumcision (only eight days from birth AND AT the temple) (Luke 2:25-28) –
Anna- Luke 2:37 She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. NIV
Simeon - Luke 2:25-27 Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Christ. NIV
So we can’t blame the corrupted Temple practice for hiding the Messiah because here are two individuals who were constantly at the Temple and as soon a Jesus is brought, they see and recognize Him. The High priests did not see Him, the Law abiding Sadducees did not see him, the Torah enhancing Pharisees did not see Him, the nameless priest hauling wood for the altar missed him, and the priest counting the widows donations missed him as well…. Apparently they all managed to ignore or not hear or see the joy and satisfaction that Anna and Simeon experienced that day.
So on the “Real” Christmas it is plain to see that only a few recognized or would believe Jesus even if they saw Him, or were told about Him. The same is true today. And even though the religious leadership was corrupted, He came anyway, exactly as the scriptures said. And all those who were looking or willing to hear got to see Him. This includes some heathen mystics from another country that did not attend regular synagogue or pay the regular temple tax. This is also still true today.
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