Faithful Witnesses of
Christ
Often overlooked and seldom mentioned along with the traditional
Christmas story, the stories of Simeon and Anna are important, inspiring
accounts. They can provide wonderful lessons to enhance our worship of Christ
this Christmas season.
Two things that strike me about their stories are
1-
All their lives they
faithfully looked for Christ
2-
When they saw Christ,
they recognized him instantly!
(Taking some literary license upon myself, I’d like to tell
Simeon and Anna’s stories.)
Having studied the
scriptures and prophecies of the prophets of old, Simeon watched for the sign—the
majestic shining star in the sky—hoping and waiting for
his Lord, for it had been revealed to him that “he should not see death before
he saw the Lord’s Christ.”
Simeon was a “just and devout” man, and he worked daily in the
temple. He was led by the Holy Ghost, and he waited for the day when he would
have the incomparable privilege of meeting his Lord, who would bring about
salvation to every man.
However, he was getting very old, and though he believed in the
revelation, though he had felt the Holy Ghost testify strongly to his heart that
he would see that Christ child, he wondered how many years he might still have
to wait. His body was growing tired, and the walk to and home from the temple
seemed to take longer than when he was younger.
Then, from a seemingly ordinary day, he began to see the wonder in heaven. That night he saw a beautiful, majestic, shining star, unlike
anything he had ever seen before, and he knew it to be the sign of his Lord’s
birth.
“This is the day I have been waiting for!” Simeon thought. He
had anticipated this day for many years, and now he saw the sign with his own
eyes! The prophecies would soon be fulfilled!
From that time, each day was filled with eager anticipation;
waiting, wondering…when would his chance come?!
It had been eight days since he had seen the sign, and this
morning he arose earlier than usual, and decided to get an early start on his
walk to the temple. It was a warm, clear day, and he felt excitement filling
his bones. He gave thanks to God for another day he could live and work in His
holy temple.
27 And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the
parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,
28 Then took he him up in
his arms, and blessed God, and said,
29 Lord, now lettest thou
thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:
30 For mine eyes have
seen thy salvation,
31 Which thou hast
prepared before the face of all people;
32 A light to lighten the
Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.
33 And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which
were spoken of him.
34 And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold,
this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel…1
Anna’s story is similar to Simeon’s. She had been a widow for many years. She was faithful, she spent her days in service to God, and fasting night and day. She spent so much time at the temple it seemed she never left.
She was there when Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to the temple to be circumcised. She was there as an eyewitness to the Savior himself.
38 And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.1
Simeon and Anna were both eye witnesses to the Lord; they knew of his divinity and recognized Him in the instant they saw him. But there were many who saw Christ and didn’t believe… What made the difference?
Maybe the answer lies in the patterns we see from their lives, in these scriptures, brief as they are. Both Simeon and Anna were righteous. They drew near to God2 by standing in holy places3 (the sacred temple) and they received their testimonies from the Holy Ghost.
Significantly, after they witnessed the Savior, they testified of him and spread the good news abroad.
Church apostle Dallin H. Oaks said, “The mission of the Holy Ghost is to witness of the Father and the Son. Consequently, everyone who has received the witness of the Holy Ghost has a duty to share that testimony with others.”4
Our lesson and challenge then, as we take the examples of Simeon and Anna, is to
1- Draw near unto God by placing ourselves in Holy places
2- Strive to learn of Jesus Christ through the scriptures
3- Come to know Him by the Holy Ghost.
As we try to live in a way that Simeon or Anna might have lived, we can
receive witness of Jesus Christ’s divinity. And, just as Simeon and Anna, once
we have received a personal knowledge of Christ, we must testify of Him.
References:
1.
Luke 2:25-38
Published by: McKell
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