Sunday, December 23, 2018

December 23



"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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