Luke 2:25-30, “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. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 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, saying: “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation…”
Half the fun of Christmas is the pent-up excitement, the anticipation. We can hardly stand the waiting! Even apart from Christmas, many of us spend a lot of our lives in a delay. We wait for the perfect romance, the perfect home, the perfect job, the perfect life. Sadly, some people are reading this and saying “Yes!” But none of these exist for them. Unrealistic hope is a tragic waste of time and energy. But others are waiting on a sure and substantial thing, and their hope has a deep foundation.
Israel had a long history of waiting. From Abraham to Elijah, God’s people anticipated His fulfillment of His promises. In Luke 2 we find the story of Simeon waiting for the Messiah (his name even means “listening”). He is listening, waiting for Jesus, that Blessed Hope. How are you waiting for Jesus to show up? Are you staying silent because you’re not sure He’s really coming? Or are you praying, telling people about Him so they can also have hope?
Think about how you get your home and yourself ready for the coming of loved ones. Are you prepared for Jesus to return? Live expectantly.
Jesus, help me to have the mindset that You are coming. But, Jesus, help me also remember that You are a daily presence in my life right now. Amen.