There are three things we can learn from Simeon and Anna as found in Luke 2:21-40 about how have peace and contentment.
The first is that Money (or Stuff) isn’t important.
One of the BIG stresses of this
season is gifts. Who to buy for, what to buy, the busyness, and how can I
afford it - are great stressors. Simeon & Anna didn’t fall into that trap.
They were looking for the Messiah and who did they pick? They picked Jesus,
this baby being carried by Joseph & Mary., they were part of the ordinary
crowd of people like those who came into the Temple every day. If ANYTHING distinguished them – it was
the fact that they were poor. Luke 2:21-24: When
the time came for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses, Joseph
and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the Law of the
Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord”), 24 and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with
what is said in the Law of the Lord: “a pair of doves or two young pigeons.”.
In other words, according to the law, a person of means who gave birth to a child was required to bring a lamb as their sacrifice. But a poor couple brought what Joseph & Mary offered: a couple of small birds. But, this couple’s poverty didn’t phase Simeon & Anna. They weren’t distracted by appearances. The Holy Spirit directed them, and wants to direct you to Him as well.
In other words, according to the law, a person of means who gave birth to a child was required to bring a lamb as their sacrifice. But a poor couple brought what Joseph & Mary offered: a couple of small birds. But, this couple’s poverty didn’t phase Simeon & Anna. They weren’t distracted by appearances. The Holy Spirit directed them, and wants to direct you to Him as well.
