“Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:
 ‘Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,
you may now dismiss your servant in peace.
For my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you have prepared in the sight of all nations:
a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and the glory of your people Israel.’“
Luke 2:28-32

–

DECEMBER 25, 2024

A few weeks ago, my family and I traveled to visit relatives in Florida for Thanksgiving. I love traveling, but I hate to fly. I dislike everything about the airplane experience. My least favorite thing of all is having to wait inside an airplane. I don’t like waiting to take off, waiting to arrive, taxiing around the airport for 20 minutes to find our gate. I don’t like airplane smell or air. My head aches, my stomach lurches, my ears clog and I have no indication when it will come to an end. To “endure” the waiting, to make time pass as quickly as possible, I attempt to force my brain to visualize that I’m somewhere else entirely. This only works for a few seconds, until reality comes nauseatingly back into focus. In these moments, I’m not longing for anything noble or righteous; I’m simply wanting my own simple and basic comfort needs to be met.

When I read our passage today, I’m struck that Simeon’s words about Jesus have very little to do with expectations and immediate, tangible desire fulfillment. He had been waiting for the Messiah for a very long time, expecting God to reveal Himself. Simeon was not bitter, he hadn’t given up hope or carved out his own version of hope. He didn’t allow circumstances to defeat his trust in God.

Simeon knew God. Through all the waiting, hoping, listening, Simeon had a clear picture of God. Simeon described Jesus as salvation, a light of revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for Israel. He declared that Jesus would cause the rise and fall of many in Israel.

I pray that today we will share in Simeon’s patience and joy, that by God’s grace our eyes will be opened to rejoice because we know who God is. May we have the grace to surrender our agendas, desires, wants, expectations and needs and realize that God Himself is the gift.

Questions for reflection and discussion:

  • Where in your life do you struggle to wait?
  • What is something you’d like God to do for you that He hasn’t?

 

Church Reading Plan: Zechariah 12:1-13:1; John 15