Luke 2:25-38
Simeon and Anna don't come onto the scene until Jesus is brought to the temple for dedication. They are both committed servants of the Lord waiting for the Messiah. But what hit me about these two is how they provided, through their actions and words, confirmation and encouragement to both Mary and Joseph about what they were going through and their service to the Lord.
So the next time you find yourself uncertain about your work for the Lord--how things are going or if you should continue--and confirmation comes (maybe through an email, phone call or a card) how will you make the most of it? On the flip side, is there someone you can provide confirmation and encouragement to this week? Tami W.
*Be transported back in time with our Voices of Christmas presentation. Tune in here.
I want to be ready to forgive and tell others How + Why Jesus forgives my/our sins. He is Grace. I want to be a comfort to hurting people. Oh God, You comfort us. Open hearts this Christmas to Your Word and Truth. Even if it hurts, let JOY (Greek-Chiro)Grace enter hearts. Save those who need you.
I'm very much encouraged by the lesson Simeon and Anna teaches us by their initial/"on-the-spot" comments. I'm thinking of a young girl who may have made the mistake of giving birth outside of wedlock to the utter dismay of her parents, the ridicule of her local and church community and the disbelief of some of her peers.
While we cannot and absolutely should not overlook the act which is contrary to God's design; it is important for us to be careful about our 'first words' when the infant is presented. The words may (God forbid!) pronounce a curse on the infant or may sink an already overladen with guilt mother, deeper into despair and shame. Under such conditions we must seek the help of the Holy Spirit to enable us to be sensitive to the situation and give us the right words to say.
We should, like Simeon and Anna, first of all give thanks for the gift of a life, then offer words of comfort and hope. We'll soon find that the holy Spirit is so amazing that he can use our kind and encouraging words as the platform to ignite the restoration of the "out of favour" mother!
We never know what purpose God is going to use us for ,but as you can see by Simeon and Anna they was waitting to thank God for what was takening place. They saw the Son face to face which made God WORDS true what He had promise Simeon
I too,believe we should thank God for the gift of any life and if that life is out of wedlock pray with the parents and lift them and the baby up to the lord. It must of been very hard back then for they would have been rejected and scorned.Even now days some do this. Lord i pray that we can be as forgiving as you.amen
dear Tammi, I have been listening to "the voices of Christmas" each day . I think it is awesome it makes you feel as thou you are there, thank you!