When parents bring their new born baby to church for the first time there is always much excitement. Many people are anxious to see the new arrival and often the baby is surrounded by well-wishers eager to greet the baby and congratulate the parents.

In today’s passage, we see not just the excitement at meeting a new life, but rejoicing for an encounter with the One who brings New Life. We read of two such encounters:

The first is Simeon, a righteous and devout man of God who has been eagerly waiting for this moment, having been assured by the Holy Spirit that he would see the Messiah before his death. Even in the infant Jesus, barely 40 days old, Simeon is able to see that this has been fulfilled. His response is to praise God for the salvation that he sees in Christ Jesus.

The second is Anna. Again we see someone who has lived their whole life in full devotion to God. We are told that Anna did not depart from the temple, that she was “worshipping with fasting and prayer night and day”. Once again the response is thanksgiving to God as well as sharing this news with others.

What a great example there is for us here as we live our lives in anticipation of Christ’s return. Pray that we too may live lives of complete devotion to God, of guidance by the Holy Spirit, of thanksgiving and of sharing the good news of Christ Jesus.

Kenneth Douglas