"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 upon him." (Luke 2:25 NIV)
Simeon was waiting for Israel's consolation. He had read
in the book of Isaiah that consolation was to come. (Isaiah 49:13) He had read
that the Lord's glory would be revealed, and that everyone would see it (Isaiah
40:5). And he waited. The Holy Spirit had revealed to him that he would not die
until he had seen the Lord Messiah, Israel's consolation.
I wonder what
Simeon did that evening, just hours before the glory would be revealed, and
Jesus would be born. He waited expectantly, as many children do in this evening
waiting for the time to pass in order that it’s Santa’s visit.
But I think that
Simeon rested during his wait, as P.
Harling writes in Psalm 205
in the Swedish hymnbook. He knew that the meeting would
be peaceful. That he would meet Jesus - soon! He knew that the Lord observed
his anxious longing. Therefore, he dared wait patiently. Dawn would soon come.
Prayer
Lord, thank You that we may rest in
anticipation of Christmas’s joy and peace. Thank You for allowing us to focus
our hearts on, and have an expectation that we will meet You, who is our
consolation, this upcoming holiday. Come Holy Spirit and rest over us!
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