Anticipation of Things to Come
James Mann
Christmas is such an exciting holiday to watch everyone with their different traditions. Many people have some sort of tradition that begins before Christmas day, and it is done to build anticipation for the big day. Some people do advent calendars while others make massive paper loops that count down the days and they rip off a loop every day. All these things are building excitement for people about something that they know is coming.
In Luke chapter 2, we are presented with Simeon, who is also waiting in excitement. He is told by the Holy Spirit that “he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.” Could you imagine the type of uncontrollable joy in the anticipation that Simeon felt?
Luke 2:29-30 reports, “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation.”
When I mentally think about this scene playing out, I can just imagine the massive smile and tears running down Simeon’s face knowing that in his hands, he is holding the Savior of the world. He knew this moment would come, and here it is. There was no fear in the fact that he could now die at any point, just adoration. I want you to think about why it was that he felt zero fear and only joy in this scenario. Two adjectives, righteous and devout, describe Simeon. To make this easier to understand, Simeon lived a life that was morally right in the eyes of God, and he was committed to following God. When someone is doing those two things, there can be a sense of anticipation of seeing our Lord.
I have lately been viewing the holiday season as a time to self-assess my standing with the Lord so I can have excitement in them waiting to be face to face with God. Am I showing faith like Simeon did? Is my focus on the Lord, or is it on myself? Am I committed to my relationship with God, or do I falter at the first sign of trouble? These are all things that we should be thinking through and evaluating ourselves upon. Take some time to make sure that we can share in the same anticipation that Simeon did.
James Mann
Christmas is such an exciting holiday to watch everyone with their different traditions. Many people have some sort of tradition that begins before Christmas day, and it is done to build anticipation for the big day. Some people do advent calendars while others make massive paper loops that count down the days and they rip off a loop every day. All these things are building excitement for people about something that they know is coming.
In Luke chapter 2, we are presented with Simeon, who is also waiting in excitement. He is told by the Holy Spirit that “he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.” Could you imagine the type of uncontrollable joy in the anticipation that Simeon felt?
Luke 2:29-30 reports, “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation.”
When I mentally think about this scene playing out, I can just imagine the massive smile and tears running down Simeon’s face knowing that in his hands, he is holding the Savior of the world. He knew this moment would come, and here it is. There was no fear in the fact that he could now die at any point, just adoration. I want you to think about why it was that he felt zero fear and only joy in this scenario. Two adjectives, righteous and devout, describe Simeon. To make this easier to understand, Simeon lived a life that was morally right in the eyes of God, and he was committed to following God. When someone is doing those two things, there can be a sense of anticipation of seeing our Lord.
I have lately been viewing the holiday season as a time to self-assess my standing with the Lord so I can have excitement in them waiting to be face to face with God. Am I showing faith like Simeon did? Is my focus on the Lord, or is it on myself? Am I committed to my relationship with God, or do I falter at the first sign of trouble? These are all things that we should be thinking through and evaluating ourselves upon. Take some time to make sure that we can share in the same anticipation that Simeon did.
Posted in Company at Christmas
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