Sovereign Lord, now let your servant die in peace,
as you have promised.
I have seen your salvation,
which you have prepared for all people.
He is a light to reveal God to the nations,
and he is the glory of your people Israel!”
LUKE 2:29-32 (NLT)

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Some things are worth the wait. 

Christmas was worth the wait for many, if not most, people. We here in our crowded house enjoyed good food, lots of presents, FaceTime calls from loved ones far away, a good walk on a beautiful day, and more good food. It was nice. 

Simeon shows up in the Christmas story with an interesting tale to tell. God told him that he would not die until he had seen the Messiah. God led him to the Temple the day Joseph and Mary presented Jesus for circumcision and naming.  

When Simeon saw Jesus, he took him in his arms and spoke the words God placed in his heart and mind. He would die a happy, fulfilled man. God made a promise and he kept it. He saw the Savior prepared for all people from all people groups. 

He blessed Joseph and Mary. To Mary in particular he said, “This child is destined to cause many in Israel to fall, and many others to rise. He has been sent as a sign from God, but many will oppose him. As a result, the deepest thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your very soul.”

Mary and Joseph each had an encounter with an angel before the conception of Jesus. They heard what was going to happen and who the baby to be named Jesus would be. Then encounters with Elizabeth and some shepherds filled in more of the details. Now in the Temple, even more details are becoming clearer. 

The story kept getting better. If there was a moment when Joseph or Mary wrestled with doubt, it was quickly erased by yet another amazing encounter that Mary stored securely in her heart and pondered from time to time. 

An old man would die in peace because he had seen with his own eyes God’s ancient promise fulfilled. Joseph and Mary were amazed. That first Christmas kept getting better. Every time it looked like God had topped himself, he did something else. 

What are you awaiting? If God is the one who placed it in your heart, he will engineer the circumstances and work out the details in his own way and in his own timing. What amazing encounters are ahead for you today? Do you expect God to step into your timeline at the moment of his choosing? Do you look for evidence of his hand at work around you?

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I will live expectantly.

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Our Father, thank you for interrupting our lives with unexpected moments of clarity. Thank you for reminding us from time to time that you are still at work all around us. Thank you for speaking into our lives with what we need to hear when we need to hear it. Open our eyes. Give us ears to hear. We want to take in whatever you want to say and do next. Amen.