Some folks forget that Jesus was a Jew.  His mom and step dad were both from the lineage of King David, so they were steeped in Jewish tradition and law .  It was the custom for a male child to be circumcised and given a name on the 8th day after his birth.  So Mary and Joseph went to Jerusalem, about 40 miles from Bethlehem.  It was there that the family was introduced to Simeon.

What we know about Simeon  is that he was a devout man – he loved God.  We also hear that he was just – which meant he was upright in the community and followed the law.  The Bible also refers to him as being filled with the Spirit.  He had been waiting for the Messiah to come for what seemed like an eternity.  It had been revealed to Simeon that he would see the Savior before his own death.  Every day brought him closer to death and he may have doubted that revelation.

When Simeon sees the family, he immediately recognizes Jesus as the Savior of the world.  His words of praise and thanksgiving to God show his gratitude for this one final glimpse of the One who would change the world forever.

So often it seems that our prayers will never be answered.  We go through the motions of asking God, but sometimes we lose heart when we don’t get an immediate response or an answer that we want.  This fellow had been waiting a lifetime for an answer and now at the end it was finally revealed to him.

Dear God, You always keep your promises.  Help me to pray continually for your assistance in my life.  I know you’re in control and that your timing isn’t always the same as mine. Remind me daily of the greatest Christmas gift ever – the promise that has already been fulfilled – Jesus!  Amen.