I hope you had a wonderful Christmas celebration welcoming Jesus into our lives again. This season produces some of my favorite scripture readings, and today’s lesson is no exception. Luke 2:25–38 introduces us to two elders of deep faith—Simeon and Anna—whose lives testify to the quiet power of faithful waiting. They do not occupy positions of political authority or religious prominence, yet they are among the first to recognize who Jesus truly is. Their witness reminds us that God often entrusts profound revelation to those who have learned patience, prayer, and hope.
Simeon is described as righteous and devout, “looking forward to the consolation of Israel.” His faithfulness is marked not by urgency but by trust. He believes the promise that he will see the Messiah before his death, and he waits—year after year—guided by the Holy Spirit. When Mary and Joseph bring the infant Jesus into the temple, Simeon recognizes what others cannot yet see. Taking the child in his arms, he praises God, proclaiming Jesus as a light for revelation to the Gentiles and glory for Israel. Simeon’s prophecy reveals a salvation meant for all people, even as he speaks honestly of the cost and suffering that will accompany this child’s life.
Anna’s witness complements Simeon’s. A widow of great age, she is a woman shaped by loss, prayer, and steadfast devotion. Luke tells us she never leaves the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. When she encounters Jesus, she begins to praise God and speaks about the child to all who are waiting for redemption. Anna becomes a prophet not through words alone, but through a lifetime of faithful presence.
Together, Simeon and Anna show us that faithfulness is not passive. It is active hope, sustained prayer, and openness to the Spirit’s movement. Their prophetic witness invites us to trust that God is at work even in long seasons of waiting—and to be ready to recognize Christ when he appears in unexpected ways.
Pastor Todd