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Luke 2: 25-38 25 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 on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27 Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, 28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: 29 “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,you may now dismiss your servant in peace. 30 For my eyes have seen your salvation,31 which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.” 33 The child’s father and mother marvelled at what was said about him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, 35 so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.” 36 There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37 and then was a widow until she was eighty-four.[e] She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. 38 Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.
Those of you who have heard me preach will understand why these two people form part of my thinking as we move towards Christmas. Their place in the story is very insignificant and can be overlooked. Maybe that’s why I think they are so important.
Simeon and Anna belonged to a group who simply watched and waited, expecting that one day, all the promises God had made, would come true. Ever when so many years had passed and nothing seemed to be happening, they held firm to their faith and the hope that one day the visions presented by so many of God’s prophets would come to fruition, and indeed, in Luke’s gospel, we read of these two insignificant folk actually reaching out and cradling God come down in their arms, hearing his helpless cry, responding in faith to the truth few could see.
The whole story of the Incarnation depends on its ordinariness; that we understand that God came, not to lord it over us, but to meet us halfway in all the various aspects of life. This is a message for all who know their lack, who feel insignificant or undervalued. This is the word made flesh for folk who feel helpless to act and hopeless about the future. In this Christmas season , God invites us to open our eyes and focus on the salvation of our Lord.
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