Windows To Christmas: Anna & Simeon

Speaker: Pastor Lee Cummings
Date: December 19, 2021

Unpack the greatest story ever told in our Windows to Christmas series that offers four unique views into the Christmas story. This week, Pastor Lee Cummings teaches out of Luke 2 and shares the Christmas story from the perspective of Anna and Simeon.

LUKE 2:22-38 (ESV)
“22 And 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 23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”) 24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.” 25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. 27 And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, 28 he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said,

29 “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word;
30 for my eyes have seen your salvation
31 that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.”

33 And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. 34 And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed 35 (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.” 36 And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, 37 and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. 38 And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.”

THE EXAMPLE OF LIVING IN FAITH AND PATIENCE – AWAITING THE SECOND ADVENT OF JESUS

1. WALKING IN DEVOTION AND OBEDIENCE
2. UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
3. CONSTANT IN A LIFESTYLE OF PRAYER AND WORSHIP
4. PLANTED IN THE HOUSE OF GOD
5. A LONGING FOR THE COMING OF THE LORD

IS THERE A “MARANATHA” CRY IN YOUR HEART?