Text:
Luke 2:25, “Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.”
Devotion:
Perhaps no other season challenges our ability to wait like the Christmas season. We wait for company, and news. We wait in line. We wait for sales. We wait in traffic. Sometimes the wait makes the event even sweeter.
Simeon waited his whole life for the coming of the Messiah. He was not alone. For thousands of years men and women had waited, watching for the promised one to come. They lived their lives in hope, never seeing that hope realized. Simeon saw, and his life was complete. His words were, “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace” Luke 2:29.
Advent is a time of waiting. We remember with joy the first coming of Jesus. The wait for us, however, is not over. Jesus is coming again. For 2000 years men and women have waited, watching for the promised one to return. They have lived their lives in hope, never seeing that hope realized. We do not know if we will see him or not. This time of year gives life and vitality to our hope.