‘Tis the season of waiting… Students are waiting to take the last exam of the semester. Teachers and kids are waiting for the last bell to ring before the holidays. Children and parents are waiting for the arrival of Christmas morning. And much of the world remembers the ancient story of a virgin mother and her husband waiting for a miracle child to be born in Israel.
There was a man in Jerusalem who was waiting for a prophecy to be fulfilled. He was a righteous and devout man and his name was Simeon. We don’t know too much about Simeon, but we can conclude that he was very close to God. In fact, the Holy Spirit had told him that he would not die until he saw the promised Messiah.
One day Simeon was led to go to the Temple, the most holy place in Jerusalem. While walking through the courts, the Holy Spirit revealed that a little baby with a young couple was the One he had been waiting to see.
“Simeon took Him in his arms and praised God, saying: ‘Sovereign Lord, as You have promised, You now dismiss Your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen Your salvation, which You have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to Your people Israel.’ The Child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about Him.” Luke 2:28-33
Did anyone else hear these words Simeon declared? Mary and Joseph took them to heart, but I’m not sure anyone else believed. “What’s that old man saying? Does he actually think a little baby is going to save all of Israel? And what is he saying about the Gentiles? Strange, strange…”
Today, lovers of the Savior are still waiting. We’re waiting for the kingdom to come, for God’s will to be done on earth as it is in heaven. We’re waiting for justice to rule the nations and for suffering to cease. We’re waiting for the return of the King.
Merry Christmas!!
“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 by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.” Luke 2:25-26