Now some prophets that had been told about Jesus before he came never got to see him. They simply gave the message given to them so others could hear.
Others, like the shepherds, heard about Him and got to see him the day he was born.
However Simeon and Anna were different. Both served the Lord at the time of Jesus’ birth but were quite old.
Simeon was promised that he would get to see the Christ child before they died. But he lived in Jerusalem, not Bethlehem, so how would he see Jesus.
Joseph and Mary took baby Jesus, Mary’s first born, to the temple in Jerusalem, as was required by Jewish law.
Working in the temple, Simeon walked by and saw the Christ child. He ran over to them, and took the baby in his arms and praised God. He blessed Mary and Joseph.
The promise fulfilled, Simeon told God that he was ready to go home. Yet I am quite sure that it wasn’t his time just yet. I can see Simeon walking through the temple telling everyone he saw about the Savior of the nation being here.
As Simeon walked away to share the message, Anna, a prophet, came upon the new parents.
Now Anna was an 84 year old prophet and a widow. She lived at the temple praising God day and night.
She gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.
They had received a message, and now they shared a new message with others.
Next: The Wisemen
One Reply to “The Christmas Message: Simeon and Anna”