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RUSSELL SANDERS
12-31-2025
THE CHRISTMAS SERIES – PART 9
MARY, JESUS, SIMEON, AND ANNA
We often speak of the shepherds and the wise men who worshipped the young Messiah, Jesus. Luke speaks of two others who also recognized Him and worshipped Him, Simeon, and Anna.
A woman was considered “unclean” after childbirth for seven days, and during that time was separated from everyone. On the eighth day she would take her son for circumcision; that also begins 33 days of purification where she is to not touch any hallowed (holy) thing nor enter the Temple sanctuary. After that total of 40 days, she then must present herself at the Temple to make atonement for cleansing with a burnt offering of a lamb, pigeons, or turtledoves.
Mary presented herself in Jerusalem to fulfill her cleansing sacrifice, accompanied by Joseph and infant Jesus, who was now 40 days old. There she encountered Simeon and Anna.
Simeon (Luke 2:25-40) was a devout man, just and righteous, who had been waiting for “the consolation of Israel.” The Holy Ghost was upon him and had revealed that he would not die until he had seen the Lord’s Christ. On that particular day, the Holy Spirit led Simeon to the Temple. He saw the child, took Jesus in his arms, and blessed God. His life was now fulfilled.
Simeon then prophesied that this child was “prepared for the face of all people, a light to lighten the gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.” (Luke 2:31-32.) He also said in vs. 34, “this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel” which was fulfilled with the fall in 70 A.D. and rising in 1948 A.D.
God had fulfilled His promise to Simeon. He will also fulfill His promises to us children today as we are obedient to His call and His ways.
Stay tuned. Tomorrow we will discuss Anna.
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