The Bible tells of a man who spent most of his life waiting for something. His name was Simeon and he lived in the city of Jerusalem. He was a godly man who lived under the anointing of the Holy Spirit. At some point early in his life, the Spirit revealed to Simeon that he would not die until he had seen with his own eyes the Messiah.
So Simeon waited…and he waited…and he waited. The years rolled by as Simeon waited - from youth, through middle age, to old age. Tradition says that by the time we reach Luke 2 Simeon was 113 years old! That’s a long time to wait for anything. But Simeon patiently waited all those years holding on to a single promise.
Then came the day when the Spirit directed Simeon to go to the Temple. Can you imagine his excitement? At last, the long-awaited promise was about to be fulfilled.
Arriving at the Temple, Simeon saw a young couple approaching with a newborn baby boy. From what happened next it’s obvious the Holy Spirit revealed to Simeon the identity of the Child. Taking the baby Jesus in his arms, Simeon worshiped saying, “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation” (Luke 2:29-30 NIV).
Christmas reminds us that while the wait may be long, the promises of God will not fail. Faith will become sight. Good things will come to those who wait on the Lord. The babe in the arms of Simeon is proof.
Pastor Todd Weston