Anticipating His Advent #27

Most of those who first heard of Christ's advent to earth were surprised, caught off guard. But Luke presents us with examples of those who were not:

25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. 27 And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, 28 he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said,
29 “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace,
    according to your word;
30 for my eyes have seen your salvation
31     that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
    and for glory to your people Israel.”
33 And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. 34 And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed 35 (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”

Just a couple of quick thoughts here: Simeon never gave up watching and waiting. We live in an impatient world; let's not allow that to keep us from watching for Christ to come again. Secondly, Simeon was content: he did not have to see how it all played out. God had kept His promise and that was enough. Like patience, contentment is in short supply in our society. But the fact that Christ has come should be able to create within us a great contentment and joy sufficent to sustain us and keep us going and trusting in Him.