Simeon and Anna

December 16, 2022

These two people were anticipating the arrival of the Prince of Peace.

Simeon and Anna spent their lives walking with God. Both spent their lives attentive to the Holy Spirit. Anna was a prophet who lived at the Temple. Simeon had the Holy Spirit upon him. Their singular focus was the coming of the Messiah, the salvation and redemption God promised to send.

Their whole lives were spent in Advent.

“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.””

Luke 2:25-32 ESV

and…  

“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, 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. 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.”

Luke 2:36-38 ESV

Simeon and Anna were able to immediately recognize Jesus when His parents brought Him to the Temple. Without a visit from an angel. Without seeing a new star. Without any outside information from other people. They were attentive to the Holy Spirit and so were able to see what so many others could not.

They both gave thanks to God and shared this glad news with others.

Consider:

What is your life focused on?

What promises from God are you waiting to see fulfilled?

Remember:

When you see the baby Jesus in a nativity scene, think about Simeon and Anna seeing Him for the first time.

Share:

What was it like for you, the first time you truly encountered Jesus?

Whom did you tell about it?