My daughter and her friends were giggling with excitement as I drove them to the concert arena. She had purchased the tickets over six months ago and the anticipation for the event had been exponentially growing with each passing day.
“Hurry Dad! We have to get to the concert arena at noon because we have to get in line. They are only allowing two hundred people in the pit and we need to be in that group.” She excitedly peered out the car window observing the small crowd that was gathering by the security guards.
“And what time does the concert start?’’
“It starts at 8 PM and they begin letting everyone in at 630 PM.”
“So you will be waiting for over six hours?” I groaned and dismissively shook my head.
“Dad! We need to do this if we want a spot in the pit!”
“I got it, sweetheart!” I smiled and quickly dispelled my dour mood, not wishing to dampen her enthusiasm. “No problem, we’ll make it!”
After six hours of standing in line, they would stand for another five hours at the concert. How long would I be willing to wait for an event? An hour, a few hours? I have waited in line for over an hour to sample the delicacies of a famous bakery or a food truck. For an event that is worthy, the time of waiting is often insignificant, yet six hours seemed a bit excessive for me.
But would I wait for a lifetime?
Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.
Luke 2:25-26 (ESV)
And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day.
Luke 2:36-37 (ESV)
In his gospel, Dr. Luke mentions these two interesting individuals, waiting in the temple, on the day that the baby Jesus arrived to be dedicated to God by his parents. God had promised both of them that they would someday see the promised Messiah. How many years each waited is uncertain, but for Anna, it may have easily been more than fifty years.
Did Simeon and Anna entertain doubts about God’s promise as they waited at the temple every day? Months melded into years, yet both remained steadfast and their patience and faith were rewarded by God who directed them to the temple to meet their Savior, Jesus Christ. If I was in their place and God promised me that I would meet my Savior, I am sure I would be excited and eager to come to the temple every day. But would I have the same enthusiastic faith after a few weeks? What about a year or ten years? My faith would undoubtedly waver and falter and I would miss meeting my Savior because of my lack of patience and trust in God. What a tragedy!
Thanks be to God that we never have to wait for an opportunity to meet Jesus Christ. On Christmas morning over two thousand years ago, Jesus Christ was born. God’s grace and mercy showed us the way to reconcile the relationship between Himself and mankind that was broken by sin. All who confess and repent of their sins and accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior will immediately receive salvation and eternal life.
There is no more waiting!
Jesus is Immanuel. God is with us!
I pray that the true blessings and gifts of Christmas will be received by everyone through faith and belief in Jesus Christ.
Merry Christmas!
Love and trust the Lord; seek His will in your life.
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