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Advent devotions 2008

DEC. 26 - WORTH THE WAIT
By Jeff Hochstetler, admission counselor

SCRIPTURE: Luke 2:22-40 (NRSV)
Scroll down for complete Scripture.

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DEVOTIONAL:
Most people hate waiting. Perhaps even worse than merely waiting is waiting for something promised to you. Your stomach churns, nerves tingle and heart jumps at the thought of its arrival. As a child, I remember waking my parents up at 6:30 in the morning to open Christmas presents. Living away from them now, I feel the same excitement about returning back to my childhood home to see close friends and family.

Waiting on God's promises feels no different. As if God should answer to us, we often lament when things don't happen when we expect them to. Now imagine, Simeon and Ana, both righteous and upright, waiting many years for God's promised Messiah. After many years, there was probably a temptation to overlook the joy of God's coming promise with their daily routines.

Waiting requires perseverance. And yet, do you suppose that in all their years waiting that Simeon or Anna had ever regretted waiting for that moment when they saw Jesus? The face of God shone through the birth of a child, the infant of an out-of-town young couple. God’s promise seems surreal; an aging Simeon blessing the baby who is to become light of the nations. God often works beyond our own expectations to deliver promises. Surely the arrival of Jesus was worth the wait.

Like Simeon and Ana, may we also learn what it means to wait as we continually seek God’s mercies.

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SCRIPTURE: Psalm 148 (NRSV)
When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, 'Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord'), and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, 'a pair of turtle-doves or two young pigeons.'

Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying,
'Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.'

And the child's father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, 'This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed -- and a sword will pierce your own soul too.'

There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband for seven years after her marriage, then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshipped there with fasting and prayer night and day. At that moment she came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.

When they had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favour of God was upon him.

Posted at 10:34 #