Luke 2:21-40

21 Eight days later, when the baby was circumcised, he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel even before he was conceived.

22 Then it was time for their purification offering, as required by the law of Moses after the birth of a child; so his parents took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord. 23 The law of the Lord says, “If a woman’s first child is a boy, he must be dedicated to the Lord.” 24 So they offered the sacrifice required in the law of the Lord—“either a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”

25 At that time there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon. He was righteous and devout and was eagerly waiting for the Messiah to come and rescue Israel. The Holy Spirit was upon him 26 and had revealed to him that he would not die until he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27 That day the Spirit led him to the Temple. So when Mary and Joseph came to present the baby Jesus to the Lord as the law required, 28 Simeon was there. He took the child in his arms and praised God, saying,

29 “Sovereign Lord, now let your servant die in peace,

    as you have promised.

30 I have seen your salvation,

31     which you have prepared for all people.

32 He is a light to reveal God to the nations,

    and he is the glory of your people Israel!”

33 Jesus’ parents were amazed at what was being said about him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them, and he said to Mary, the baby’s mother, “This child is destined to cause many in Israel to fall, and many others to rise. He has been sent as a sign from God, but many will oppose him. 35 As a result, the deepest thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your very soul.”

36 Anna, a prophet, was also there in the Temple. She was the daughter of Phanuel from the tribe of Asher, and she was very old. Her husband died when they had been married only seven years. 37 Then she lived as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the Temple but stayed there day and night, worshiping God with fasting and prayer. 38 She came along just as Simeon was talking with Mary and Joseph, and she began praising God. She talked about the child to everyone who had been waiting expectantly for God to rescue Jerusalem.

39 When Jesus’ parents had fulfilled all the requirements of the law of the Lord, they returned home to Nazareth in Galilee. 40 There the child grew up healthy and strong. He was filled with wisdom, and God’s favor was on him.

Simeon and Anna are lesser-known characters in the Christmas story but both are throroughly likable and admirable people.

It seems that several things too place within the forty days after the birth of a baby: circumcision on the eighth day, the dedication to the Lord of a first son and a purification ceremony for the mother. Mary and Joseph's observance of the law tells of their piety and dedication to God. The sacrifice offered also shows that they were poor (see Leviticus 12:8).

Their arrival at the Temple coincided with Simeon and Anna being there (although Anna is said to have never left the Temple). Notice how they are described. Simeon was "righteous and devout" and was eagerly waiting for "the consolation of Israel". In other words, he was waiting for God to deliver Israel by sending the Messiah. Indeed, God had revealed that He would. The Holy Spirit was upon Simeon and he was responsive to the Spirit's leading. The Holy Spirit led him into the Temple at just this time. When he saw Jesus, Simeon praised God.

Anna was a prophet and so dedicated that she never left the Temple. She worshipped God with prayer and fasting. She also came along at just this time and she also began praising God.

Simeon spoke very publicly about Jesus. Anna talked about Him to everyone who was expectantly waiting for the Messiah. They spread the good news that God had, at long last, acted.

Simeon could now die in peace. He had seen the Messiah as God had promised. Not only that, he had seen the salvation which God had been planning all of this time. I guess that means he got a glimpse of the what the future - God's future for people - would be like. He knew that this baby was a light to the nations and the glory of Israel.

Jesus was Israel's greatest citizen. He is the Jew that all the world will one day worship. It is a tragedy that most Jews have rejected Him. They do not glory in Him. We saw on Day 11 that His own people would reject Him.

Simeon foresaw that too. It was not all good news. Jesus would cause man, around the world, to rise but many in Israel to fall. He was a sign from God but many would oppose Him. Those who resist God would be revealed by their rejection of Jesus.

And, Simeon said, a sword would pierce Mary's heart too. She would know deep pain and sorrow. Those words must have come back to her when she stood at the foot of the cross watching Jesus die.

For Reflection

1. In what ways would you like to be like Simeon or Anna? What would you need to do to achieve that?

2. How can you tell whether someone has accepted or rejected Jesus?

Nativity Plays

It is very common for little children to dress up as angels or shepherds (or even sheep or cows) to play their part in a nativity play - although perhaps less common as our society becomes more secular. Nativity plays tells the story of Jesus' birth including Mary and Joseph's journey to Bethlehem and the visits of the shepherds and magi.

You might remember that "nativity" means "birth".

It is said that the first nativity play was organised by St Francis of Asissi in 1223 as a way to remind the local villagers that Jesus had been born as their Saviour. Initially, Francis told the story using wooden figures but it became increasingly popular and monks began acting out the parts.

However, earlier "mystery plays" had portrayed various stories from the Bible, from the creation to the final judgement but including the birth of Jesus.

Our children are part of a centuries-old practice and the value of reminding people of the Christmas events has not diminished. Indeed, with less awareness of the facts of Christianity the need might be greater.

Why not allocate parts and act out your own impromptu nativity story?

Father, we thank You for godly people who serve as examples to us. May we too be known as righteous and devout and as people who are completely dedicated to You. Transform us by You Spirit, we pray.

Thank You also for your grace to Simeon and Anna, allowing them to see the Messiah they had longed for. And thank You that they told everyone this good news.

Lord, that good news depended on Jesus' willingness to die. We thank You that You knew exactly what was ahead but You went through with it anyway.

In Jesus' name, amen.