December 27 2020

Bible Reading

Luke 2:22-40

At that time there was a man named Simeon living in Jerusalem. He was a good, God-fearing man and was waiting for Israel to be saved. The Holy Spirit was with him and had assured him that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s promised Messiah. Led by the Spirit, Simeon went into the Temple. When the parents brought the child Jesus into the Temple to do for him what the Law required, Simeon took the child in his arms and gave thanks to God:

“Now, Lord, you have kept your promise, and you may let your servant go in peace. With my own eyes I have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples: A light to reveal your will to the Gentiles and bring glory to your people Israel.”

There was a very old prophet, a widow named Anna, daughter of Phanuel of the tribe of Asher. She had been married for only seven years and was now eighty-four years old. She never left the Temple; day and night she worshiped God, fasting and praying. That very same hour she arrived and gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were waiting for God to set Jerusalem free.

Reflection

After Jesus was born, Mary and Joseph take him to the Temple to say thank you to God for his safe arrival.  (present him to the Lord and offer a sacrifice as it said in the law). While they are there, they come across two older people who have been waiting for the Messiah (leader or saviour) for many years. Simeon and Anna both bless Jesus and as they do Mary and Joseph are amazed at the things they have to say. 

Have you ever waited for a long time for something? What did it feel like?

Simeon was told that he would not die until he had seen Gods promised one who was going to save them (the Messiah), so when he sees Jesus he says “you may let your servant go in peace. With my own eyes I have seen your salvation,” he’s calling Jesus that saviour, the one who is going to save them, Gods son.

Then Anna gave thanks to God as soon as she saw Jesus and was talking about how he was the one who would set Jerusalem free. She too had been waiting a long time for Jesus.

Both of these people were wiser and older than Mary and Joseph and it was important for them to listen to their wisdom. Mary was told by the Angel Gabriel that she would give birth to a baby boy and that he would be great and called the son of God. Now these two older and wiser people are confirming this. This can be the case for us too, sometimes we feel like there’s no way older members of our family or church family can know what is best for us, or even know how it feels to be young.  However, often they do understand and they do know what is best. It is important that we listen to their wisdom.

Have you ever waited for a long time for something? What did it feel like?

Are there older people who are important to you?

Is there an older person who you might ask advice from, if you needed it?

Prayer

Lord God, we thank you for older members of our family and church families. We thank you for their wisdom and everything they mean to us. Help us to listen to them as Mary and Joseph did with Simeon and Anna. Amen

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