We’re an impatient lot sometimes. We want faster internet. Microwaved food. Same-day delivery. Minutes. Seconds. Nanoseconds.
That’s why one of my favorite characters in the “Christmas Story” is Simeon. Kind. Older. Steady. Devout. A fixture in the temple. And the Bible says he was patient. And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. (Luke 2:25)
I looked up that word consolation. If you like to dabble in Greek, the word is paraklēsis. The rabbis of the time knew what that word meant. They believed and taught that the coming Messiah would be the consoler or comforter. Look at the opening verses of Isaiah 61 where the coming Messiah is described as healing the brokenhearted, setting the captives free, and comforting mourners.
So my friend Simeon studied, prayed, worshipped and obeyed the promptings of the Holy Spirit. Week after month after year. I imagine Simeon aging and graying with the promised Messiah near to his heart. Every fiber of his being waited for his Consolation.
But we’re told he had inside information. It had been revealed to to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. (Luke 2:26) Again, my imagination sees arthritis and glaucoma. Perhaps his hearing was fading and there was an occasional heart murmur. But he lived and breathed like a young man because of the promise!
He woke one morning just like any other. But today was the day. In a quiet whisper, the Holy Spirit made it known that he should head to the temple (Luke 2:27). What he saw was no different than any other day. Parents with crying babies carrying out the prescribed custom of the day.
But one baby was different. It wasn’t a hunch. He new. You see, he had read the words of Isaiah. For unto us a Child is born. Unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder; And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6) His Consolation had come!
With hurried reverence he reached for his Messiah. Imagine all the emotions of holding your child for the first time and magnify that a thousand times. This was no ordinary baby. This was his long-awaited Savior!
His weak arms and tired back found new life as he spoke in an emotion-filled voice: Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace. According to Your word; For my eyes have seen Your salvation which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, a light too bring revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel. Luke 2:29-32.
You and I live with the promise of a Consolation, too. In Acts 1:11 we are promised that this same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.
My second grandchild, Harper Mae, was born December 7. We eagerly waited for her arrival. Who will she look like? How will big sister Emmaline react? A room was decorated. Gifts purchased. We were abuzz.
As I’ve pondered Simeon and Harper Mae this Christmas, I’m forced to ask myself a serious question: “Am I as excited about the Second Consolation of Christ as I was about the arrival of Harper? Is the promised Second Coming of the Christ Child a driving force in my life?”
The other evening I watched Emmaline take one of her friends by the hand and lead her to Harper. Do you want to see my sister? Do you want to hold her? She was consumed with eagerness to introduce her “little sis.”
How about us? Like Simeon, we are promised in the opening verses of Revelation that we will see Christ, too! Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him. (Revelation 1:7) Are we excited? Are we waiting with expectation? Are we willing to ask our friends, Do you want to meet the Christ Child?