The Faith of Simeon and Anna
Scripture Focus: Luke 2:25–38, Isaiah 42:6–7, John 8:12
Jesus’ story didn’t end in the manger. Forty days later, Mary and Joseph brought Him to the temple in Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord, just as the Law of Moses required.
There were two elderly saints, Simeon and Anna, there waiting.
They had spent their entire lives in expectation of the coming Messiah with their eyes set on heaven’s promise. And when they saw Jesus, they knew without a doubt this is the One.
The Long Wait of Faith
“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 on him.”
— Luke 2:25
Simeon’s name means “he who hears.” He had been listening for the voice of God his whole life, and what he heard was a promise:
“It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah.” (v. 26)
We aren’t told how long he waited, maybe years, perhaps decades, but Simeon never gave up hope. Every sunrise, he would look toward the temple wondering, Is today the day? His faith didn’t fade with time; it only grew stronger.
Waiting will often test us. Naturally, we all want quick answers, even instant results. We should use Simeons example because it shows that true faith trusts God’s timing even when the clock seems to be silent. He believed what God said, even before he saw it.
Simeons faith is what makes Christmas so powerful, it’s the moment waiting that turned to fulfillment. God’s promises may take time, but they never fail.
Led by the Spirit, Guided by Hope
“Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for Him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took Him in his arms and praised God.” (Luke 2:27–28)
Can you imagine the scene: Simeon, now an old man, suddenly feels a holy nudge from the Spirit, GO NOW. It was At that exact moment, Mary and Joseph arrived with their infant Son. Like always God’s timing was perfect once again.
Simeon exuberantly approaches, takes the baby into his arms, and worships.
His words, known as the “Nunc Dimittis“, are some of the most beautiful in all Scripture:
“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 2:29–32
In that moment, Simeon understood what few yet realized:
Jesus wasn’t just Israel’s Messiah, He was Savior of the world.
The baby, barely forty days old, was the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy:
“I will make You a light for the Gentiles, that My salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.” (Isaiah 49:6)
A Light to the Nations
When Simeon called Jesus “a light for revelation to the Gentiles,” he was declaring something momentous. Israel’s Messiah, Savior, was never meant to bless just one nation alone, He came as the light to shine for all.
Centuries earlier, Isaiah had written:
“I, the Lord, have called You in righteousness; I will take hold of Your hand.
I will keep You and will make You to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles, to open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison.” (Isaiah 42:6–7)
At this point, that prophecy was alive and breathing in Simeon’s arms.
This theme of light runs throughout Scripture:
- In creation, God said, “Let there be light.” (Genesis 1:3)
- In prophecy, He promised, “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light.” (Isaiah 9:2)
- And in fulfillment, Jesus declared, “I am the light of the world.” (John 8:12)
With every candle on a Christmas tree, every twinkle in the night sky, they all point us back to this truth, Christ is the Light that never fades.
Anna’s Joyful Witness
Simeon wasn’t the only one waiting. There was another waiting nearby Anna, a prophetess, whose name means “grace.”
“There was also a prophet, Anna… she was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying.” (Luke 2:36–37)
Anna was someone who had known sorrow, she had been a widow for decades, lived for years in solitude, but with it she turned her pain into prayer. While others might have grown bitter, Anna on the other hand only grew more devoted. She made her life a living offering of worship.
When she saw Jesus, she instantly knew.
“Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.” (v. 38)
Just like Simeon, she didn’t keep silent. Instead She spoke up about the child, letting everyone who would listen know that the Redeemer had come.
Anna’s example shows us that waiting is never wasted when it’s filled with worship. Her lesson teaches us that joy is found not in what we possess, but in who we behold.
Revelation and Response
With Simeon and Anna, we can see two pictures of faithful expectation:
Both remind us that God reveals Himself to those who are faithful in the waiting.
We need to consider and remember that sometimes, like them, we don’t see God’s promises fulfilled right away. But if we remain patient and steadfast, we too will see His faithfulness. It might not be the way we expect, but it is always in the way we need.
Their story bridges the gap between the Old and New, between prophecy and fulfillment, longing and arrival, darkness and light. Through them, we see that Jesus’ birth wasn’t just the fulfillment of Israel’s hope; it was the dawn of salvation for all humanity.
Reflection for the Week
- How do you handle seasons of waiting in your spiritual life?
- What does it mean to you that Jesus is “a light for revelation to the nations”?
- Are there promises from God you’ve been waiting on — and can you trust His timing like Simeon and Anna did?
Personal Application
This week, take time to “wait in worship.” Take time to spend quiet moments in prayer every day, not asking for anything, but simply thanking God for His faithfulness. (Psalm 119:15)
Light a candle each evening, not as ritual but as a tool to reflect on Jesus, the true Light of the world. As the flame glows, remember and consider that His light still shines in the darkness, through you, and through His Church.
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for being the Light that never fades. Teach me how to have the patience to wait on You with faith like Simeon and have pure worship like Anna. Let my life reflect Your light to the world, so others may see Your salvation and give You glory. Thank you Lord for everything you have done and do in my life. In Jesus Name Amen
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