DECEMBER 10 WAITING FOR CHRISTMAS By Paul Barreca Executive Director, Fellowship International Mission Adjunct Faculty, Word of Life Bible Institute
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. (Luke 2:25–26) The Nativity scene is a family tradition kids remember all their lives. One creative dad built anticipation for Christmas by setting up the Nativity with Mary, Joseph, shepherds, and angels carefully placed around the manger – but, instead of putting baby Jesus in the manger, he put a mystery note with a clue to where the family could find Jesus. Every morning, the children ran downstairs to get their clue and begin their search. Every night, Dad created another clue and hid Jesus. The waiting ended on Christmas morning when the children awoke to find baby Jesus in the manger. Luke’s Gospel tells of a man who eagerly anticipated Jesus’s arrival. His name is Simeon, a man “filled with the Holy Spirit.” He was “just and devout,” living justly toward others and devoutly before the Lord. The story impacts our lives today because Simeon was a faithful servant who waited patiently for Jesus. Upon seeing Jesus, Simeon knew this baby was Israel’s Messiah. Simeon responded, “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word” (Luke 2:29). “Depart in peace” was a term used to describe a soldier after his duty was finished. Simeon could die knowing he had waited for the Lord and his prayer was answered.
Simeon reminds us that God shows Himself to those who wait upon Him. “You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:13).
Like Simeon, our hearts should be focused on Jesus. When we meet Him, we will never be the same.
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