The Holy and Just Simeon who received God and Anna, Prophetess. Post-feast of the Encounter.
Hebrews 9:11-14; Luke 2:25-38.
Read Luke 2:25-38
At Christmas, we remembered the Magi who studied the sky and were led to Jesus by following a star. They brought Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh because they recognized Him as the newborn King. Simeon and Anna were led by the Holy Spirit to recognize Jesus as the promised Messiah, the One Who would redeem Israel. The Magi were guided by nature, the created world, to recognize Jesus. Simeon and Anna were guided by God, the uncreated One, to recognize Him.
In his book For the Life of the World, Fr. Alexander Schmemann writes how the created world is a means through which we can encounter and give thanks to God. Nature is not something that opposes God; rather, God lovingly created it! In the matter of our own bodies, we have been made into temples of the Holy Spirit. The whole world has been sanctified by the incarnation of Christ and God’s act of dwelling within us. God created all things, visible and invisible. When we celebrate the Eucharist, we offer back to God our entire selves along with all of creation.
God communicates with us in many ways. Through the righteous Simeon and Prophetess Anna, God communicated the great plans He had in store for His Son Jesus. Let our eyes, ears, and hearts be open to hear what God is saying to us. Let us always respond to God in thanksgiving for the gift of salvation He has granted to us!