Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Advent Stances

In Luke 2, we see within the faithful lives of Simeon and Anna three stances for the Advent Season, yes three wonderful ways to approach the Coming-of-the-Christ-Child Season:

Let us be found:
(1) Waiting on the Christ Child.
(2) Witnessing about the Christ Child.
(3) Welcoming in the Christ Child.

The Prophecies of Simeon and Anna -- Luke 2:25-40 (NLT)
(25) Now there was a man named Simeon who lived in Jerusalem. He was a righteous man and very devout. He was filled with the Holy Spirit, and he eagerly expected the Messiah to come and rescue Israel. (26) The Holy Spirit had revealed to him that he would not die until he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. (27) That day the Spirit led him to the Temple. So when Mary and Joseph came to present the baby Jesus to the Lord as the law required, (28) Simeon was there. He took the child in his arms and praised God, saying, (29) "Lord, now I can die in peace! As you promised me, (30) I have seen the Savior (31) you have given to all people. (32) He is a light to reveal God to the nations, and he is the glory of your people Israel!" (33) Joseph and Mary were amazed at what was being said about Jesus. (34) Then Simeon blessed them, and he said to Mary, "This child will be rejected by many in Israel, and it will be their undoing. But he will be the greatest joy to many others. (35) Thus, the deepest thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your very soul." (36) Anna, a prophet, was also there in the Temple. She was the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher, and was very old. She was a widow, for her husband had died when they had been married only seven years. (37) She was now eighty-four years old. She never left the Temple but stayed there day and night, worshiping God with fasting and prayer. (38) She came along just as Simeon was talking with Mary and Joseph, and she began praising God. She talked about Jesus to everyone who had been waiting for the promised King to come and deliver Jerusalem. (39) When Jesus’ parents had fulfilled all the requirements of the law of the Lord, they returned home to Nazareth in Galilee. (40) There the child grew up healthy and strong. He was filled with wisdom beyond his years, and God placed his special favor upon him.

ALL JOY TO YOUR WORLD!
Grateful

2 comments:

KLW said...

Like John the Baptist we need a desert,
a place of refuge, a place of prayer.
And in that wilderness, in one small corner of our hearts;
we can wait for the Christ Child there.
We will wait..we will seek...
we will welcome the Christ Child there.
Nancy Krebs 1996

i am Grateful... Kerry i am. said...

Come on in, Lord. Come into my heart, Lord Jesus.