22 When the time came for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord”), 24 and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: “a pair of doves or two young pigeons.”

25 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. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27 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, 28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:

29 “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,
you may now dismiss your servant in peace.
30 For my eyes have seen your salvation,
31 which you have prepared in the sight of all nations:
32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and the glory of your people Israel.”

33 The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, 35 so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”

36 There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37 and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. 38 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.

39 When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth. 40 And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him. Luke 2:22-40

Simeon was but one confirmation of what God was doing in the world. God had informed Simeon that he wouldn’t die until He had seen the Messiah. That’s certainly an interesting revelation, one that most of us will never hear.

Anna was a second confirmation.

What would have been the reaction of those around them when they blessed the child as they did?

What’s important is that this was the Lord’s Messiah, as Simeon called Him. This was the long-awaited Savior, the Son of God.

Everyone wanted to see Him but nobody really knew what to expect. And most, I suspect, thought this Messiah would just pop onto the scene and save the Jewish people. The thought of Him being born and raised might have crossed their minds, but it wasn’t prominent. They were looking for the conquering Messiah, not the baby Messiah.

As we near yet another year and with it change and “progress,” we should be mindful of those who have seen it all and done it all, the generation in their 70s and 80s now. Technology and social media is blowing right past them but they still have a lot of wisdom and insight to offer the Church in this world. They may not be up on the latest star or musician, but many will know the pitfalls of fame and fortune, of being greedy and selfish, and of living life on the edge.

Reach out to those in that stage of life and learn as much as you can. They’ve experienced hardships and pain we never have. Their faith has been tested through many fires and flames.