“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 on him.” -Luke 2:25
Expecting parents wait nine months for the arrival of their newborn baby. When the child finally comes, there is a sense of relief and excitement. Nine months is a long time to wait.
Now imagine you are waiting for the birth of a baby that would bring salvation to people everywhere. Imagine waiting year after year for this baby to be born. Imagine the sense of joy and relief when you are finally able to set your eyes on this child. That describes the experiences of Simeon and Anna recorded in Luke 2:21-40.
We do not know how long they waited, but we do know that they were old. Simeon was “waiting for the consolation of Israel.” Anna could have been a widow for 84 years, and she was worshipping in the temple every day waiting to see a move of God.
Imagine hearing you would not die before you had seen the Messiah, and then having to wait. What happens to us when we have to wait with no end in sight? We get frustrated. Angry. Discouraged. Distracted.
Then one day the Spirit moved Simeon to go and see this child at the temple. Imagine the joy and the excitement Simeon must have felt! At last he was able to see the Messiah who had come to save, and he took the child in his arms and gave praise to God. Anna, too, saw Jesus and proclaimed to others the redemption that had come near.
Through the witness of Simeon and Anna, Luke announces the comfort of Israel has come to save all God’s people from sin, wherever they are throughout the world. That’s what we celebrate at Christmas: Jesus, the comfort and hope of the world, has come to us. May that news be our comfort and hope throughout this Christmas season, and may it move us towards others who need that same consolation.
