Free Grace Women

The account of Anna and Simeon in Luke 2:25-38 is one of the lesser-known stories within the Christmas narratives, yet there is much we can learn from it. In this account, the Lord’s parents bring the newborn Savior to the temple. There, they encounter Anna and Simeon, two Old Testament believers. It is worth noting that they were not only believers but also remarkably faithful. Simeon is called a just and devout man, while Anna is described as one:

“who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day” (Luke 2:37).

While Anna and Simeon were believers, meaning they had eternal life as a free gift, we see in the narrative that they also walked with the Lord. In addition to their faithfulness, Anna and Simeon were elderly and nearing the end of their lives. Anna, a widow, is said to be of “great age” (v. 36). Likewise, Simeon was approaching the end of his race (v. 29). These are not young, ambitious kings, warriors facing giants, apostles, or priests. They are arguably social nobodies, yet they stand as heroes of the faith. Why? Because they trusted in the Lord’s promises. They prayed, fasted, and worshiped at the temple. They faithfully performed the mundane, daily acts of service. They were seasoned saints, shaped by years of silent resolve and unglamorous devotion. In short, these were believers who built their lives on the Word of God. 

Because of this steadfastness, Simeon was promised he would not die before seeing the Lord. This promise was fulfilled, and the faithful saint was rewarded not only by being alive when the Savior was born, but by holding Him in his arms (Luke 2:28); a unique experience, available only to a select few in all of human history. 

These faithful servants of God offer us a remarkable example to follow. They remained steadfast in a corrupt generation that would ultimately reject the Savior (Luke 2:34-35). Their reward for this faithfulness was profound; they were privileged to witness and testify to the birth of the Messiah, and their devotion was recorded in Scripture for generations to come to read and learn from.

Anna and Simeon lived in anticipation of the Lord’s first coming. They held onto promises, despite many years of silence. They had far less information than we do today, yet they placed their hope in God’s Word, and they were blessed for it.

We, by contrast, are blessed to live between the advents. We have not only the promises of the Old Testament to cling to but also the fulfillment of Christ’s first coming: His birth, life, death, resurrection, and ascension (Luke 2:11; Acts 1:9–11). Just as Anna and Simeon looked forward to the Lord’s first coming with courage and comfort, how much greater is our blessing, knowing we can follow their example as we anticipate His second coming?

During Christmas, it is common for people to view the season through the perspective of children. Movies often present the magic of Christmas as something seen “through the eyes” of kids. We often see images of bright-eyed toddlers opening presents, giggles and squeals of delight filling the room. Parents strive to create those moments of joy. Yet this account seemingly turns that cultural norm on its head. Christmas is seen through the eyes of our elders. We see the true joy of Christmas not through children, but through those who possessed the faith of a child and endured to the end, through eyes that had fought the good fight. There is a poetic beauty in the fact that it was the quiet rejoicing of two elders that filled the temple, departing in peace (vs 29) with joy in their hearts–a joy that surpasses the fleeting emotions of any child on Christmas morning

Just as those two pillars of the faith endured the test of time, we, too, can follow their pattern. The Lord was faithful to all His promises regarding Christ’s first advent. Therefore, as we look back on those fulfilled promises during the Christmas season, may we be reminded that we, too, can build our lives on the Word of God and be assured of the fulfillment of those promises yet to come. 

Merry Christmas! 

Two Pillars

Two Pillars wait

with creaking knees

On either side of the hall

Fixed and focused

They hold the faith

And heed the Master’s call

The first,

Weathered and worn

where crows’ feet nest

in the fracture of his face,

breaks out in proficient praise

As aged hands, hold the Ancient of days

The second,

The Bygone Bride

whose fervent faith

turned patinated lace

held her ground both night and day

her long years logged,

and testify

to promises 

untouched by time.

Thus Death, 

Though he mocks

From the shadows of the hall

Taunting the pious pair

Between the echoes and their greying hair

was hushed….

As frail fingers clutched

 The Incarnate Word

and the proclamation of

the Creator’s birth