Advent week 4: Simeon & Anna Prepare in the temple

Light the four candles on the Advent wreath today.  {On Christmas Day, light the center Christ candle while you are opening presents or eating dinner~ thanking God for His beloved Son as the ultimate gift.} 

Read the Scripture:  Luke 2:21-38

21 On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the child, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived.

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.


Devotional:
All the people surrounding Jesus at his birth have a heritage of devotion to God.  On this fourth week of Advent, we see Simeon and Anna, two individuals who have been preparing themselves in the temple for the arrival of the Christ child. 

Simeon held the 3 characteristics of Old Testament “piety” (verse 25):
1)   He was righteous and devout
2)   He was one of the believing remnant in Israel who was waiting and looking for the Messiah’s arrival
3)   He was one on whom the Holy Spirit was upon

The Holy Spirit led Simeon to be in the temple courts when Mary & Joseph arrived to dedicate Jesus to God.  As with all the other encounters of the righteous ones in Luke’s account, there is great joy and praising God at the birth of Jesus!

Simeon held Jesus in his arms and prophesied over him (verse 29-32).  Psalm 25:14 says, ‘The secret of the Lord is with those who fear Him”.  There is a mysterious communication of Divine knowledge and insight to those who walk closely with God.  He shares His secrets with His friends.  God is looking for friends, like Simeon and Anna, who He can trust with His secrets. Simeon supernaturally knew that Jesus was the Messiah, the Savior of all people.  Jesus would be a “light for revelation to the Gentiles” (His first advent).  Simeon shows that he understands that Jesus is not coming to deliver the Jews from their enemies on the earth at this time, but instead that this Salvation will be for all nations and all people~ a revelation to the Gentiles. Simeon also had understanding that the Jews of his day had missed the Messiah….and that their deliverance was for another time~ “and for glory to your people Israel” (His second advent).  Simeon then turned his attention to Mary and Joseph and blessed the parents and prophesied over Mary (verses 33-35). 

Anna was another who was righteous and devout.  Luke calls her a prophetess who was waiting for the advent of the Messiah.  As a prophetess, she received Divine revelations and served as a mouthpiece for God.  She was a widow who had devoted herself to the worship & service of God in the temple.  Her husband died seven years after their marriage and Anna remained a widow from that time until her present age of 84.  66 years later she is still in the temple. Neither her age nor her gender deterred Anna from ministering to the Lord night and day. 

Just as the Holy Spirit led Simeon to be in the temple courts when Mary & Joseph arrived to dedicate Jesus to God, He moved Anna to come up to them at the moment they were presenting Jesus to God.  Her heart was moved to thanksgiving~ Thanking God for the Messiah.  The Holy Spirit gave her insight into Jesus’ identity and Anna “spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem” (verse 38).

God had honored Simeon and Anna’s commitment to worship God as an occupation by giving them the privilege to know things that others didn’t know. 

The Lord is calling people to this “Simeon or Anna calling” in these days as we await the second advent of Jesus.  “Shall not God bring about justice for His elect, who cry to Him day and night?  He will bring about justice for them…When the Son of man comes (2nd advent), will He find faith on the earth” (Luke 18:7-8). Jesus connects the call to night and day prayer to the timing of His return to the earth. 

What does this night and day worship look like as we anticipate the arrival of Jesus in His second advent? (Mike Bickle shares the following 4 insights)

1)  We minister to God by declaring His worth.  We magnify the supremacy of Jesus, spreading His fame by declaring His worth, beauty, and riches, calling others to love and obey Him and give their allegiance to Him.

2)  We labor in intercession to release God’s power to win the lost, revive the Church, and impact society as we do works of justice and compassion.

3)  We grow in intimacy with God by personally encountering Him through His indwelling Spirit, receiving greater grace to love, obey, and partner with Him, as we are fascinated with who He is.

4)  We grow in the understanding of God’s Word, gaining insight into His will, ways and salvation and learning about the unique dynamics of His end-time plan to transition the earth to the age to come. 

We wait, as did Simeon and Anna for the advent of Jesus. Be alert to the signs of His return to the earth.  Encourage those who have a Simeon or Anna calling ~ celebrate those who give their lives to worship in the temple night and day!

The Spirit and the Bride say “Come Lord Jesus”.


Activity:        Prophetic Christmas Gifts
Materials needed:  Old magazines and cards; glue; scissors; cardstock or scrapbook paper (white or any color); pen or pencil

1) Cut out pictures, words, phrases from magazines and cards (old Christmas cards, etc) and place them in the center of a table~ not in a pile, but spread them all around. 

2) Have each person in the family, close their eyes and choose 10-15 pieces of cut-up pictures/phrases. (no peeking)   

3) After everyone has gathered their pieces, open eyes. 

4) Each person takes a piece of cardstock or scrapbook paper and arrange the pictures/phrases/words that were gathered.  Ask the Lord how it arrange them. When you have them in the places that you want them, glue them down.

5) Spend some time listening to God’s voice about what these phrases/pictures say about a person (who is it that He wants you to give this gift to~ someone in your family; neighbor; cousin; friend; etc.).  On the back of the cardstock or on another piece of paper, write out the prophetic words that you hear (the way those pictures, phrases, words speak to the person).

6) When you are finished, wrap up the gift and give it to the person the Lord highlighted.  

**Below is an example of what this looks like when finished.