The excitement and expectation for Christmas morning as a kid sometimes seems unbearable. Walking by the tree, waiting to see what surprises Christmas morning brings can bring about emotions you never knew existed! That expectation and excitement doesn’t leave when you are an adult. Adults and parents all over eagerly await Christmas morning to celebrate honored traditions and love with family.
Today we look at Simeon and Anna – whose expectations and earnest waiting were magnified a million times more than what we feel longing for Christmas morning. They had followed in the Jewish tradition spanning back over 1,000 years of waiting, anticipating, longing for the prophesied Messiah.
Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said, “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.”
And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.” – Luke 2:25-35
Scripture tells us after the fall in the Garden of Eden, Jewish believers had been waiting for the promised Messiah who would set them free. Abraham, Moses, David, Jeremiah, Isaiah, Malachi – all were eagerly waiting salvation from the Lord. Simeon was no different. Simeon was waiting and God answered. Can you imagine the scene? Spurgeon imagines it like this:
“Scarce in heaven did old Simeon feel more happy than he did at that moment when he clasped the babe in his arms! Do you not think you see him? Joy is flashing from his eyes; his lips speak sonnets, which burst out like the chorus of immortals, when he says, ‘Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: for mine eyes have seen thy salvation.’”
We all have the opportunity to behold the lamb of God as Simeon once did. Because of the Christ-child, newborn King, we can all draw near to the throne of grace and hold the promised Messiah in our hearts.
“Simeon took Christ up in his arms. Someone might have said, ‘Old man, what have you to do with the new-born King? Old man, you may be just and devout; but do you dare to handle the Incarnate God? Do you dare to fondle him upon whose shoulders God has laid the key of his kingdom, whose name is called Wonderful, Counsellor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace? Do you dare to touch him?” Yes, he dares to do it; he takes him up in his arms, he clasps him to his heart, he rejoices over him, he is ready to die with delight now that he has found Christ. Come, poor troubled ones, come tonight, and take Christ into your arms! And you, dear saints of God, who have done this long ago, do it over again! Take him right up into your arms, as though he were still a babe. Take him still to your heart, and say, “He is everything to me — my love, my hope, my brother, this blessed Incarnate God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.’” – Spurgeon
Simeon not only loved God, that day he felt God’s love as he picked up the promised messiah, his own salvation in his arms. Anna was also at that temple that day! She had gone to the temple in anticipation of the Messiah for over 60 years, serving and loving God, eagerly anticipating.
And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, 37 and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. 38 And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.
Can you imagine anything more beautiful? Two elder Jews eagerly awaiting the Messiah, loving and serving God each day at the temple to see the promise fulfilled when Mary and Joseph would bring Jesus to his dedication. So much Jewish tradition and Godly love on display in these few verses – verses that fulfilled the promised salvation from the garden! Much like Simeon and Anna, we should be brought to praise that we too have seen the promised fulfillment of salvation. Praise God for whom all blessings flow!
Family Discussion
What do you look forward to the most Christmas Day?
What truths can we learn from Simeon and Anna as we wait for the second coming of Christ?
