Waiting in Worship: The Faithful Witness of Simeon and Anna

The Christmas story doesn't end with the shepherds returning to their flocks or the wise men journeying home. There's a beautiful, often-overlooked chapter that unfolds just forty days after Jesus' birth—a moment that teaches us profound lessons about waiting, recognizing God's work, and living lives of faithful witness.

The Humble Presentation

Picture Mary and Joseph making their way to the temple in Jerusalem, carrying their newborn son. They weren't there for a grand celebration or public announcement. They were simply fulfilling the requirements of Jewish law—presenting their firstborn son to the Lord and offering the sacrifice required for Mary's purification after childbirth.

The sacrifice they brought tells us something significant: two doves or two young pigeons. According to the Law of Moses, the standard offering was a lamb and a bird, but provision was made for those who couldn't afford a lamb. They could bring two birds instead. This detail reveals that Jesus, the Son of God, entered our world not in wealth and privilege, but among the poorest members of society. The King of Kings came in humility from his very first days.

Eyes That Recognized the Savior

In the bustle of the temple that day, two elderly people were about to experience the moment they had been waiting for their entire lives.

Simeon was a righteous and devout man, filled with the Holy Spirit. God had made him an extraordinary promise: he would not die before seeing the Lord's Messiah. We don't know how long Simeon had been waiting—perhaps decades. Can you imagine waking up each morning wondering, "Will today be the day, God?"

When Simeon saw the humble family entering the temple, the Spirit prompted him. In that ordinary-looking baby, Simeon recognized the extraordinary—the Savior of the world. He took Jesus in his arms and praised God with words that have echoed through the centuries: "My eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel."

Simeon understood what many others missed: Jesus hadn't come merely as a political deliverer for Israel. He was the light for all people, the Savior of the entire world.

The Shadow of the Cross

But Simeon's prophecy contained a sobering element. He told Mary that her child was "destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel" and would be "a sign that will be spoken against." Then came words that must have pierced Mary's heart: "A sword will pierce your own soul too."

Even in this moment of joy, celebrating a newborn baby, the shadow of the cross was already present. The baby who brought salvation would one day suffer, and his mother would watch in agony. The cost of our redemption was never hidden.

A Widow's Faithful Witness

The second person who recognized Jesus that day was Anna, a prophet who was 84 years old. She had been married for only seven years before becoming a widow, and she had spent the rest of her long life in the temple, worshiping God through fasting and prayer.

When Anna saw Jesus, she gave thanks to God. But she didn't keep this revelation to herself. She immediately began telling everyone who was looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem about the child. Anna became one of the very first evangelists, unable to contain her excitement about the Savior she had finally seen.

What Loneliness Can Teach Us

Consider Anna's story more deeply. She had experienced the loss of her husband after just seven years of marriage. In her loneliness and grief, she came to the temple. She came to God. And in that place of devotion, her life was transformed from one of loss to one of purpose. Her faithfulness in the midst of difficult circumstances positioned her to be among the first to recognize and proclaim the Messiah.

Sometimes our loneliest seasons, our most difficult circumstances, can become the very places where we draw closest to God and discover our purpose in his kingdom.

Waiting Well

Both Simeon and Anna teach us something vital about waiting. They had been waiting for the promised Messiah for years, possibly decades. But their waiting wasn't passive or empty. They didn't sit around doing nothing until God fulfilled his promise.

Their lives were full of worship and prayer. They praised God not only after they saw Jesus, but throughout their years of waiting. They could worship while they waited because they knew that God is good and that his promises could be trusted.

Are we waiting for something? Perhaps we've prayed and trusted God, but haven't seen the answer yet. Like Simeon and Anna, we might have to wait a long time to see God's promises fulfilled. But the waiting itself can be an act of worship when we remain faithful, when we stay close to God, when we continue to praise him even before we see the answer.

Recognizing Jesus Today

Because Simeon and Anna stayed close to God, filled with his Spirit, they were able to recognize Jesus when he came. They looked at a humble baby from a poor family and saw the King who had come to save the world.

The question for us is: Do we recognize Jesus? Many people think of Jesus as just a baby in a manger, a nice story we tell at Christmas. But he is so much more than that. The baby presented at the temple is the Son of God who gave up his place in heaven to become one of us, who grew up to die on the cross to take away our sin, and who rose to life again so that we can be with God forever.

Can we, like Simeon, look at Jesus and say, "My eyes have seen your salvation"?

Living as We Wait

Jesus ascended to heaven after his death and resurrection, but he promised he would return. We are now in our own season of waiting—waiting for the time when Jesus will come again.

Are we waiting with the same expectancy and excitement that Simeon and Anna showed? Are we living lives of worship and witness while we wait?

The book of Malachi reminds us that when the Lord comes, he will bring both purification and judgment. But the good news for those who have turned to Jesus and accepted his gift of salvation is that we will be found clean and will have a home with God forever.

The Broken and the Beloved

Here's the beautiful truth that Simeon and Anna reveal: God doesn't overlook the elderly, the worn, the battered by life, or those who feel insignificant in the world. These two faithful witnesses were probably tired, careworn, marked by years of life in a difficult world. Yet God chose them to be among the very first to see the Savior.

Jesus didn't come for people who are already neat, clean, and perfect. He came for people who are battered and tired and careworn. And that's most of us.

If you're feeling overlooked or insignificant, remember that God sees you. He cares about you. He has good things for you if you will trust him.

Our Response

The promised Savior has come. Through faith in Jesus, we can be saved. While we wait for Jesus' return, let's follow the example of Simeon and Anna by constantly worshiping God—not just through singing hymns or attending church, but by living lives that worship God through service and love.

And like Anna, when we know Jesus, let's tell others. Let's witness to those around us so they too can know the salvation that God has promised.

The story of that day in the temple reminds us that faithful waiting is never wasted, that God sees and remembers those who remember him, and that when we recognize Jesus for who he truly is, we cannot help but worship and witness.

May we have eyes to see our Savior, hearts that worship while we wait, and voices ready to tell the world about the light that has come into our darkness.