Lesson Two • Anna and Simeon
Pastor Roy Townsend
We all know that Christmas is a time when we get together with company. This company can be co-workers, family from far away, or family who may live close by, but we only see each other once a year. Many people describe Christmas as so magical, and yet, many describe Christmas as a huge emotional drain on their lives. We know that many people struggle at Christmas.
1. Do you have company at Christmas that you only see once a year? Please describe.
2. Is Christmastime a magical or emotionally draining time of year for you? Why?
We learned last week that the shepherds were the original company at Christmas. However, this week we will look at two named individuals that we often overlook as being part of the Christmas story. Anna and Simeon were devout and God-fearing which conveys the idea of being careful to obey and honor God. Simeon reveals the purpose of why Christ is born. Simeon has the true peace that comes only when we understand that salvation is in Christ alone. This company at Christmas brings this confirmation but also tells Mary some difficult truths.
3. Please describe for the group your understanding of “salvation in Christ alone.”
4. Are you the type of person who is comfortable bringing the truth of salvation in Christ alone to others?
Luke 2:22-35 reads, “And when the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, ‘Every male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord’) and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, ‘a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.’ Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said, ‘Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.’ And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, ‘Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.’”
The Scripture here reveals that God keeps His promise to Simeon and he praises God that he saw Jesus Christ. Simeon had been waiting, and then got to declare the “consolation of Israel.” This is the messianic hope that God would send His Son to be the sacrifice for many.
5. How important is it that your company at Christmas sees God’s salvation before they die? Please explain.
Also, Simeon compassionately declares that God provided Jesus for salvation for the whole world. Luke 2:29-32 reads, “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.”
6. Why is it important to note that salvation has been prepared for all peoples?
Simeon has blessed the family with truth, and Anna joins in the truth by giving thanks and telling others.
Luke 2:36-38 reads, “And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.”
Here we are introduced to Anna who joined in the truth, gave thanks, and spread the Good News to “all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.” Jesus Christ coming into this world is a Christmas miracle. The original Christmas miracle I might add.
7. Is your response similar to or contrary to Anna’s response to the Christmas miracle? (joined the truth, gave thanks, and spread the Good News)
We often believe that Christmastime should be easy, joyous, and relaxing. However, Simeon was tasked with sharing the truth of Jesus as salvation with Mary. Luke 2:34-35 reads, “And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, ‘Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.’” Simeon was tasked with sharing the truth about Mary’s situation with her. Not only was there joy and excitement about Jesus coming into the world, but there was difficult news to share with Mary.
8. What about our circumstances make us afraid to share the truth of Jesus Christ with our company at Christmas.
In 1 Timothy 2:5-6, we read, “For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.” We cannot forget the truth that Jesus Christ came to this world to be payment for our sin. In our celebration of Christ’s birth, which is an incredible miracle, we must remember why it was necessary for Christ to be born. John 3:16 reads, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”
9. Are you prepared to spread the truth with your company this Christmas? Is it both the miracle of God coming into the world and the need that we all have for Him? Why or why not?
10. Please share with the group the names of your company that you will spread the Good News with this year. Pray that the truth of Jesus Christ will be accepted by your company.
1. Do you have company at Christmas that you only see once a year? Please describe.
2. Is Christmastime a magical or emotionally draining time of year for you? Why?
We learned last week that the shepherds were the original company at Christmas. However, this week we will look at two named individuals that we often overlook as being part of the Christmas story. Anna and Simeon were devout and God-fearing which conveys the idea of being careful to obey and honor God. Simeon reveals the purpose of why Christ is born. Simeon has the true peace that comes only when we understand that salvation is in Christ alone. This company at Christmas brings this confirmation but also tells Mary some difficult truths.
3. Please describe for the group your understanding of “salvation in Christ alone.”
4. Are you the type of person who is comfortable bringing the truth of salvation in Christ alone to others?
Luke 2:22-35 reads, “And when the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, ‘Every male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord’) and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, ‘a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.’ Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said, ‘Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.’ And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, ‘Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.’”
The Scripture here reveals that God keeps His promise to Simeon and he praises God that he saw Jesus Christ. Simeon had been waiting, and then got to declare the “consolation of Israel.” This is the messianic hope that God would send His Son to be the sacrifice for many.
5. How important is it that your company at Christmas sees God’s salvation before they die? Please explain.
Also, Simeon compassionately declares that God provided Jesus for salvation for the whole world. Luke 2:29-32 reads, “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.”
6. Why is it important to note that salvation has been prepared for all peoples?
Simeon has blessed the family with truth, and Anna joins in the truth by giving thanks and telling others.
Luke 2:36-38 reads, “And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.”
Here we are introduced to Anna who joined in the truth, gave thanks, and spread the Good News to “all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.” Jesus Christ coming into this world is a Christmas miracle. The original Christmas miracle I might add.
7. Is your response similar to or contrary to Anna’s response to the Christmas miracle? (joined the truth, gave thanks, and spread the Good News)
We often believe that Christmastime should be easy, joyous, and relaxing. However, Simeon was tasked with sharing the truth of Jesus as salvation with Mary. Luke 2:34-35 reads, “And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, ‘Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.’” Simeon was tasked with sharing the truth about Mary’s situation with her. Not only was there joy and excitement about Jesus coming into the world, but there was difficult news to share with Mary.
8. What about our circumstances make us afraid to share the truth of Jesus Christ with our company at Christmas.
In 1 Timothy 2:5-6, we read, “For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.” We cannot forget the truth that Jesus Christ came to this world to be payment for our sin. In our celebration of Christ’s birth, which is an incredible miracle, we must remember why it was necessary for Christ to be born. John 3:16 reads, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”
9. Are you prepared to spread the truth with your company this Christmas? Is it both the miracle of God coming into the world and the need that we all have for Him? Why or why not?
10. Please share with the group the names of your company that you will spread the Good News with this year. Pray that the truth of Jesus Christ will be accepted by your company.