Looking for the Savior
The Most Overlooked Character in the Christmas Story
When we think of Christmas, certain images flood our minds: a starlit sky over Bethlehem, shepherds in fields, wise men bearing gifts, and Mary cradling her newborn son. Yet there's one character in the Christmas narrative who rarely gets the attention he deserves—a man whose encounter with the infant Jesus reveals profound truths about faith, patience, and expectation.
His name was Simeon, and his story challenges us to rethink not only how we understand Christmas, but how we live our faith throughout the year.
His name was Simeon, and his story challenges us to rethink not only how we understand Christmas, but how we live our faith throughout the year.
A Song That Points Beyond Bethlehem
Before we meet Simeon, consider this fascinating fact: the most published Christmas carol in North America was never intended to be a Christmas song at all. Written in 1719 by English hymn writer Isaac Watts, this beloved carol sat as poetry for 130 years before being set to music in 1848. Unlike every other Christmas hymn that references mangers, shepherds, stars, or the journey to Bethlehem, this song contains no narrative details of the nativity story.
Why? Because it was written about the second coming of Christ, not the first.
The third verse makes this clear—it speaks of a time when "no more let sins and sorrows grow, nor thorns infest the ground." This is a vision of Christ's return, when He will finally set all things right. Yet we sing it every Christmas, and perhaps that's exactly as it should be. Every celebration of Christ's first coming should also be a reminder of His promised return.
Why? Because it was written about the second coming of Christ, not the first.
The third verse makes this clear—it speaks of a time when "no more let sins and sorrows grow, nor thorns infest the ground." This is a vision of Christ's return, when He will finally set all things right. Yet we sing it every Christmas, and perhaps that's exactly as it should be. Every celebration of Christ's first coming should also be a reminder of His promised return.
The Man Who Waited
Simeon's story picks up where most people stop reading in Luke chapter 2. After the familiar account of shepherds and angels, Mary and Joseph take eight-day-old Jesus to the temple in Jerusalem to fulfill the requirements of Jewish law. There they would offer a sacrifice and consecrate their son back to God—a beautiful picture of faithful parenting.
At the temple, they encounter Simeon, described with four powerful words: righteous, devout, waiting, and moved.
Simeon was righteous—good on both the outside and the inside. His character was consistent, his integrity intact. He wasn't just performing religion; he embodied it in his very being.
He was devout—deeply spiritual, with a faith that mattered profoundly to him. His relationship with God wasn't casual or compartmentalized; it was central to who he was.
He was waiting—the Holy Spirit had revealed to him that he would not die before seeing the Messiah. We don't know how long he waited. Years? Decades? But he waited faithfully, expectantly, actively.
And on this particular day, he was moved by the Holy Spirit to go to the temple. Perhaps he'd gone many times before, hoping this would be the day. But on this day, there was a divine prompting, an urgency, a holy nudge that said: "Today is the day."
At the temple, they encounter Simeon, described with four powerful words: righteous, devout, waiting, and moved.
Simeon was righteous—good on both the outside and the inside. His character was consistent, his integrity intact. He wasn't just performing religion; he embodied it in his very being.
He was devout—deeply spiritual, with a faith that mattered profoundly to him. His relationship with God wasn't casual or compartmentalized; it was central to who he was.
He was waiting—the Holy Spirit had revealed to him that he would not die before seeing the Messiah. We don't know how long he waited. Years? Decades? But he waited faithfully, expectantly, actively.
And on this particular day, he was moved by the Holy Spirit to go to the temple. Perhaps he'd gone many times before, hoping this would be the day. But on this day, there was a divine prompting, an urgency, a holy nudge that said: "Today is the day."
Four Questions for the Soul
Simeon's story invites us to ask ourselves some searching questions as we stand on the threshold of a new year.
Are you willing to wait on God's timing?
None of us enjoys waiting. Waiting can be frustrating, aggravating, even painful. Sometimes it makes no sense at all. Yet Scripture reminds us: "It is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord." The psalmist declared, "I wait for you, O Lord. You will answer, O Lord my God."
Perhaps you're waiting for a career breakthrough, a long-hoped-for child, a prodigal to return home, or healing that seems delayed. Simeon's example shows us that faithful, active waiting—trusting that God will fulfill His promises—is not passive resignation but confident expectation.
Perhaps you're waiting for a career breakthrough, a long-hoped-for child, a prodigal to return home, or healing that seems delayed. Simeon's example shows us that faithful, active waiting—trusting that God will fulfill His promises—is not passive resignation but confident expectation.
Who controls your life?
Simeon appears to have been a person controlled by the Holy Spirit. This doesn't mean he lacked personal desires or plans, but that he had cultivated a heart sensitive to divine promptings. He could bend and respond at a moment's notice when God nudged him.
Jesus spoke harsh words to religious leaders who looked good on the outside but were corrupt within—"whitewashed tombs," He called them. The inside matters. A life truly controlled by God requires a heart increasingly sensitive to the Holy Spirit, eyes that see what God wants us to see, ears that hear His voice.
The goal of the Christian life is that with each passing year, we become more obedient, quicker to respond to God's promptings, more aligned with His will than with our own.
Jesus spoke harsh words to religious leaders who looked good on the outside but were corrupt within—"whitewashed tombs," He called them. The inside matters. A life truly controlled by God requires a heart increasingly sensitive to the Holy Spirit, eyes that see what God wants us to see, ears that hear His voice.
The goal of the Christian life is that with each passing year, we become more obedient, quicker to respond to God's promptings, more aligned with His will than with our own.
Have you seen the light?
When Simeon took the infant Jesus in his arms, he prayed a remarkable prayer: "Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation." He recognized the light of the world in that baby's face.
Jesus later declared, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." To see the light means to recognize Jesus as Messiah, to believe in Him, and to allow that light to live within us so we become lights to the world.
Have you truly seen the light? Has knowing Jesus transformed you from the inside out?
Jesus later declared, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." To see the light means to recognize Jesus as Messiah, to believe in Him, and to allow that light to live within us so we become lights to the world.
Have you truly seen the light? Has knowing Jesus transformed you from the inside out?
Are you expecting Jesus?
Simeon was longing, trusting, and absolutely expecting the Messiah to come. Part of what it means to be a Christian is helping the world recognize that Jesus came once and will come again.
Jesus taught His disciples to "keep watch" and "be ready" because no one knows the day or hour of His return. He compared it to the days of Noah—life going on as usual until suddenly everything changed. The command is clear: vigilance, readiness, expectation.
We're called to live as people who genuinely expect Jesus to return, who help others understand this reality, who remain watchful and prepared.
Jesus taught His disciples to "keep watch" and "be ready" because no one knows the day or hour of His return. He compared it to the days of Noah—life going on as usual until suddenly everything changed. The command is clear: vigilance, readiness, expectation.
We're called to live as people who genuinely expect Jesus to return, who help others understand this reality, who remain watchful and prepared.
A Prayer for the New Year
As Simeon held Jesus, he addressed God with two profound words: Sovereign and Lord. Sovereign—King of the universe, King of all kings. Lord—ruler of my life.
It's one thing to acknowledge God as the cosmic King. It's quite another to submit to Him as the Lord of your daily decisions, relationships, ambitions, and fears.
As we move into a new year, may we be people who wait well on God's timing. May we be increasingly controlled by the Holy Spirit. May we be lights in a dark world. And may we keep watch, ready and expectant for the return of the One who came as a baby and will return as King.
The Christmas story doesn't end in Bethleeth—it extends into eternity. And like Simeon, we're invited to hold onto the promise, to see the light, and to live in joyful expectation of what's to come.
It's one thing to acknowledge God as the cosmic King. It's quite another to submit to Him as the Lord of your daily decisions, relationships, ambitions, and fears.
As we move into a new year, may we be people who wait well on God's timing. May we be increasingly controlled by the Holy Spirit. May we be lights in a dark world. And may we keep watch, ready and expectant for the return of the One who came as a baby and will return as King.
The Christmas story doesn't end in Bethleeth—it extends into eternity. And like Simeon, we're invited to hold onto the promise, to see the light, and to live in joyful expectation of what's to come.
Recent
Archive
2025
December
Categories
no categories
No Comments