Simeon's and Anna's Brown Paper Packages

            Simeon was a righteous and devout man. His age is not mentioned although most biblical scholars agree he was in his advance years.

            Anna was a prophetess and the bible does reveal her age. She had only been married seven years when her husband died, leaving her a widow until she was 84 years of age. We are told Anna worshiped and prayed night and day, never leaving the temple.

            Although they were two distinctive individuals, Simeon and Anna shared in the common bond of anticipation. They knew the scriptures foretelling the birth of The Messiah. Would they be able to live long enough to welcome the coming Messiah? Senior adults can identify well with all the aches and pains of the aging process that Simeon and Anna must have felt as they waited year after year. Pulling the string off their brown paper packages, they unwrapped the gift of endurance and the gift of promise.

Luke 2:26, 28, and 38 (NIV)  It had been revealed to him [Simeon] by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. ... Simeon took him [Jesus] in his arms and praised God, saying: “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation.” ... Coming up to them [Mary and Joseph with the infant] at that very moment, she [Anna] gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.

            Today, we are looking for the Second Advent of Jesus Christ. No matter your age, no matter the aches and pains of aging process you are adjusting to, we have the gift of endurance through the daily strength our loving Heavenly Father provides as we anticipate his coming gift of promise. As in the words of an old familiar hymn, strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow.

Gracious Heavenly Father,

            You see the struggles of aging each of your faithful ones endures. Thank you for providing us with the brown paper package of endurance combined with the brown paper package of promise. Thank you for the strength and bright hope we have in you.

                                                                        In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

 

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Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from The Thompson Chain-Reference® Bible, New International Version® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1983 by Zondervan Corporation. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.