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Simeon and Anna

I have heard it said recently, if all you know is what you see with your natural eyes and hear with your natural ears, then you will not know very much. Those who live by the Holy Ghost see, hear, and know much more than those of the world can enjoy, as this Christmas story illustrates.

Forty days after the Savior’s birth, Joseph and Mary brought him to the Temple in Jerusalem. Since the Passover, every firstborn son in Israel belonged to the Lord. Joseph and Mary made an offering in their poverty of two turtledoves to redeem him. To see it another way, Joseph made a sacrificial offering to redeem his son, just as Heavenly Father would later make a sacrificial offering of His Son and redeem all mankind.

“And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ” (Luke 2:25-26).

On that day, and at that time, the Spirit led Simeon into the crowded temple just as Joseph and Mary arrived there. With all of Jerusalem as an audience, the Holy Ghost identified Jesus to Simeon. He came and took the blessed infant in his arms. “Lord,” he said in humble praise, “now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to the word: For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; a light to lighten the Gentiles and the glory of thy people Israel” (Luke 2:29-31).

Simeon was joyously happy because that day which he had lived for, for so long, had come. Joseph and Mary “…marvelled at those things which were spoken of him” (Luke 2:33). Seldom does the Lord reveal all His word at once. Line upon line, revelation comes incrementally and in packets to the faithful. Joseph and Mary were still learning who their Son really was.

Then, Simeon turned to Mary and spoke to her sensitive soul. “This child,” he said, as if in “warning,” “is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against” (Luke 2:34). Your Son, Mary, will reveal the hearts of all men. He will be both loved and hated. His name will be had for good and evil among all men. Those who love light and truth will come in reverence to Him and will rise with him. Those who love darkness rather than light will be exposed, and they will hate Him and they will fall. “Yea,” he continued, as if in prophetic illustration, “Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also, that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed” ( Luke 2:35).

There was another witness of Christ that day in the temple. “And there was one Anna, a prophetess…of the tribe of Aser; she was of great age… [and] was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. 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” (Luke 2:36-38).

Anna, the prophetess, was inspired to know that the baby was Jesus Christ and shared this with others. However, Simeon’s words were not as comforting. What kind of statement is that to make to a mother in the joy of a new son? No wonder people ignore this part of the Christmas story. But, this prophecy embodies the real meaning of Christmas and the Savior’s life. You see, it is life at the other end of the manger that gives this moment of nativity in Bethlehem its ultimate meaning.

Gethsemane, Golgotha, and the Garden Tomb give Christmas its real meaning and joy, and the old man about to die, Simeon, and Anna who came moments later, knew that. All of us have and will fall, but praise God from whom all blessings flow—joy to the world, indeed, for we can rise again.

When we see Christmas as Simeon did, the season becomes one of worship, and the joy and peace last all year. The best gifts become those that express the most love for God and man.