Waiting......

"At that time there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon.  He was righteous and devout and was eagerly waiting for the Messiah to come and rescue Israel.  The Holy Spirit was upon him and had revealed to him that he would not die until he had seen the Lord's Messiah."  (Luke 2:25-26 NLT)

How are you at waiting?  What do you do while you wait?  What are you waiting for?  We are in the time between Christmas (Jesus' birth celebration) and Epiphany (the Wise Men's arrival).  It is also, today, New Year's Eve so many celebrations are happening.  One to remember is the 12 days of Christmas start on Christmas day and go through Epiphany (Jan  6th) - so, if you are counting today is the 7th day of Christmas.  All this probably gives you more things to be thinking about and questioning all while trying to get ready to celebrate (?) a New Year.

Simeon had been waiting a long time for the promise of the Messiah to be fulfilled.  So had Anna (Luke 2:37-40) been waiting.  Both of them spent time in prayer, worship and listening for what God is saying to them.  Both were rewarded with being able to see the Messiah when Mary and Joseph bring Jesus to the Temple (2:22).  Mary, Joseph, Simeon and Anna were all following the traditions of Scripture and the times.

​So.....how are we at waiting?  Are we going to Scripture?  Are we in prayer?  Are we listening for what God is calling us to do?  Something to think about.............