For the One in a Season of Waiting

If you're in a season of waiting, you're in good company! In Luke's account of the Christmas Story, we're introduced to two people who knew waiting well–Simeon and Anna.  

Both are older in age and described as "righteous" and "devout" (that means devoted to the Lord). 

We're told Simeon specifically was "waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him." This refers to the promise of the Messiah made by the Old Testament prophets. 

It's important to note the historical timeline here: it's been 700 years since Isaiah promised a child would be born of a virgin and would be called Immanuel (Isaiah 9) and 400 years since Malachi, the last recognized true prophet of the Lord. 

In these centuries, the region of Judah has been conquered and reconquered several times. The Temple had been destroyed and then rebuilt. By the time the Roman Empire takes control (which is during the time Jesus was born), many Jewish people have pretty much given up on God’s promise. 

Simeon, by contrast, has kept the faith. Luke tells us "the Holy Spirit was on him" and "It had been revealed to him...that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah." 

One day, the Holy Spirit tells Simeon to go to the Temple. While he's there, a young Jewish couple (Mary and Joseph) arrive to observe the purification rites and dedicate their newborn son to the Lord as laid out by Mosaic Law. 

Simeon's immediate response is worship. He takes baby Jesus in his arms and sings a song of praise to God for keeping His promises–not just the promise that Simeon would not die before seeing the Messiah, but the promise that God would send the Messiah for Israel and the world. 

Also in the Temple that day was Anna. She's 84 years-old and had been a widow most of her life. 

While some people let grief turn them away from God, Anna ran to the Lord in her sorrow. Luke tells us "she never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying." (Luke 2:37) 

When she encounters Mary, Joseph, and the baby Jesus, she, too, immediately responds in worship, thanking God for keeping His promise to send the One who would make all things new. Then, she begins telling everyone she can the Messiah has come!  

Here's why Simeon and Anna are important: they remind us that in seasons of waiting, we can be faithful because God is faithful. And when we are faithful, it opens our hearts to see what others might miss–because it was their diligence in seeking God and relying on the Holy Spirit that made it possible to recognize the Messiah as a baby.  

So if you're in a season of waiting, don't give up. Continue to pray, even when it seems like you're not getting an answer. Continue to worship, even through pain. Continue to seek God, so you can recognize Him when He does show up. And continue to obey His Word–you will see it fulfilled–and others will come to know Him because of your faithful witness. 

This post is inspired by message three of our 2025 Advent sermon series, “Jesus: The Long Awaited Promise,” given by Pastor Gaylyn Kelly.