Title: Let's Wait for Christmas Again.
Contents
Title: Let's Wait for Christmas Again
Bible: Luke 2; 21-39
The words of this text introduce two people who waited and waited for the birth of Jesus. The words of the text we read today happened eight days after Jesus was born, and he went to the temple for a baptism ceremony.
When Joseph and Mary took the baby Jesus to the temple in Jerusalem for a baptism ceremony, there they met the prophets Simeon and Anna. These two prophets, Simeon and Anna, wait and wait for the Messiah who will bring the comfort of Israel and the salvation of all peoples.
1. What kind of people were Simeon and Anna?
Simeon was a righteous man and a godly man. And he was waiting for the comfort of Israel, and he lived his whole life in spiritual fellowship with the Holy Spirit. And Prophet Anna never left the temple all her life. I fasted and prayed day and night. A person who has been instructed and guided by the Holy Spirit.
2. How did Simeon await the birth of the Messiah?
He lived with the determination, “Until he sees the Lord’s Christ, he will not die.” So, when he met Jesus and the Holy Spirit moved him, he heard the words, “This child is the Messiah whom God promised to send.” He was a man of faith who could hold the Simeon baby Jesus in his arms and offer a prayer of thanks to God.
3. How did Anna await the birth of the Messiah?
“At that time, he came and gave thanks to God and spoke about this child to all who were hoping for the redemption in Jerusalem.” He believed and waited for the promise of the Holy Spirit. After 84 years of the birth of Jesus, whether it rains, snows, or winds, we come to the temple every day without a break and pray, “Lord, when is it? When will He send the true Messiah of this people?” I cried out and begged. This is how I met Jesus, the Messiah.
In conclusion
During that time, we celebrated Christmas every year. That is why, even as Christmas approached, I did not have much emotion. There was no waiting in my heart and excitement. I hope you will look back on whether the Christmas you received was the kind of earnest waiting Simeon and Anna waited for. Now we have to wait for Christmas again with a new heart. Like the prophets Simeon and Anna, we must risk our lives and wait.