Simeon and Anna Meet Jesus

The first days after Jesus' birth passed. When he was eight days old, Jesus was circumcised. Circumcision was a small operation performed on baby boys among the people of Israel as a sign of the covenant: God's special promise to his people. On that occasion, they gave him the name Jesus, just as the angel had said.

Mary and Joseph kept caring for him.

About forty days after his birth, they took him to the temple in Jerusalem to present him to the Lord. The temple was a special place of worship. The law said that a firstborn son was to be dedicated to God.

They also brought a simple offering: two birds, as the law allowed for families who could not offer a lamb. This was an offering of worship, not a payment to make God love their baby.

Jesus was carried in their arms.

To many people, Mary and Joseph may have looked like just another family bringing a baby to the temple.

But this child was the Savior.

A man named Simeon lived in Jerusalem.

Simeon loved God and waited for his promise to come true.

The Holy Spirit had told him that he would meet the Savior before he died.

He had waited for that meeting.

And that day, the Holy Spirit led him to the temple.

There he saw Mary, Joseph, and the child.

The moment had come!

Simeon took Jesus in his arms and thanked God.

“Thank you, Lord. My eyes have seen the Savior.”

The promise had come true.

Simeon spoke of Jesus as a light for people of every nation.

Mary and Joseph listened in wonder.

That tiny baby would bring a very great hope.

Simeon blessed the family.

He also explained to Mary that not everyone would welcome Jesus with love and that she would face painful moments.

Mary still had much to understand about her son's life.

Anna was also at the temple.

Anna was a prophet, a woman God gave messages to share. She was very old and spent much of her time worshiping God.

She prayed and waited for the help God had promised his people.

When she saw Jesus, she also began to give thanks.

Then she told people who were waiting for the Savior about the child.

What joy!

Simeon had waited. Anna had waited.

And now they had both met Jesus.

The child was not wearing a crown. Soldiers did not surround him.

He was in his family's arms.

But Simeon and Anna recognized God's promise in him.

Sometimes waiting can feel difficult.

That day, they discovered that their waiting had not been forgotten.

After those days in Bethlehem, travelers from faraway lands would arrive, also looking for Jesus.

The story of Jesus' birth will continue.