December 29 | Luke 2:22-40

 by Diane Ward

Watching young parents bring their children to be baptized, I am reminded of the day my baby son was baptized. To know your child has been anointed and blessed by witnesses is a sacred time! 

It is Simeon I am thinking of now - his long life of patience, waiting and praying to see the Messiah before he dies. He and Anna are about to see a miracle of grace! They were living in a war-torn world, turned upside down much like today.

"The Bucket List." Most of us seem to have one; mine is to sing with a choir of Handle's Messiah, and to see Scotland once again. Simeon wanted to see the Messiah before he died. As he held the baby Jesus in his arms the prophesy had come true, as the Holy Spirit had revealed to him.

Augustine of Hippo in a sermon of Simeon’s song notes that Simeon saw the infant Christ both with his soul, and with his eyes, he had seen God’s salvation, the promised One had come! He was holding in his hands the Lamb of God and The Lion of Judah! Simeon could die in peace. I cannot think of anything in life anyone could desire more than to see Jesus.

In a season of waiting, we hear the words of Isaiah. “Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings as eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:31)

(John Bunyan’s classic allegory - The Pilgrim’s Progress) Christian said, "I want to see Jesus.”

Dear Lord,

Thank you for so many things, like saints such as Simeon who are faithful followers, dedicated to your way. May we all have people like these in our lives today. People who are examples of faithfulness and obedience. Amen.