The First Noel – Simeon and Anna.

Stephen March discusses the significance of Simeon and Anna’s presence when Jesus was presented in the Temple of Jerusalem.

The Dedication in the Temple and Simeon and Anna

If we follow the story of Christ’s birth chronologically, the next part is probably the dedication of the baby Jesus at the temple.  This part of the story tends to be less emphasized around Christmas, maybe because it doesn’t really tie in with the whole “Silent Night” theme that creates the picturesque nativity theme.  That said, when I try to imagine the scene at the temple as it happened, it’s amazing to see how God moved everyone to a place where such a direct proclamation about who Jesus is was made.  Let’s read about it in Luke 2:22-38.

“And when the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”) and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.” Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said, “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.” And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.” And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.”

Background in Leviticus 12

The background for this event comes from Leviticus chapter 12, and from there we can know that this was 40 days after Jesus was born.  We also know that the offering was to be a one year old lamb, unless that was unaffordable, then two turtledoves or pigeons would be the offering.   Therefore, by seeing that Mary and Joseph offered the turtledoves, we get a little insight into their financial situation, and the fact that they were on the lower end.  It also shows through their adherence to the Jewish law, that Mary and Joseph were faithful people.

The Significance of Simeon and Anna

The real significance of this portion of the story though, comes from Simeon and Anna, I’ll start with Simeon.  We know very little about this man, just that he was a righteous and devout Jew, and that he had received a message from the Holy Spirit at some time that he wouldn’t die until he had seen the Messiah.  Let’s put ourselves in the scene.  The temple in Jerusalem was a busy place, there would have been people everywhere, and a common couple like Mary and Joseph would have been lost in the crowd.  Without fanfare they would have gone to the priest made their offering and left.  Simeon however, through the crowd and moved by the Holy Spirit, was not only able to find Mary and Joseph, but recognize the baby Jesus for who he truly was, the salvation of the Lord.  He goes to them, close enough to take the baby from Mary and Joseph, who no doubt felt a little strange when what was probably to them a total stranger took their child, and he makes the proclamation to the Lord, “Now I can depart in peace, for I have seen your salvation.” 

Simeon is a Devout Jew

I try to imagine what the bystanders thought as this took place.  Another point of interest is that Simeon, a devout Jew, also recognized that this salvation was not just for the Jews, but “a light for revelation to the gentiles” as well.  This would have been a particularly unwelcomed sentiment in the temple, where many Jews were looking for a savior who would free them from the captivity of their Roman occupiers.  Essentially what Simeon was proclaiming was that this fragile baby was born to save them, and the Romans. 

The encounter with Simeon was also unique in that it was really the first time that the darker aspect of the salvation from God was mentioned.  Up until now, there was the joy of the announcement that the Baby Jesus would save his people from their sin, that he would reign over the house of David, that of his kingdom there would be no end, but now Simeon speaks of the child being appointed for the rise and fall of many in Israel, and for a sign that will be opposed, speaking of how Jesus will be despised and rejected, and then finally he adds, “and a sword will pierce through your own soul also,” foreshadowing the pain that Mary will experience as she witnesses her son dying for the sin of mankind.  Yes, Jesus was going to save people from sin, but the cost of that salvation would be tremendous, it would cost him his life.  

Anna the Prophetess

Still, the joy of the moment was enough to let Simeon say he could depart, or die, in peace.  Simeon no longer needed to cling to this life, because he knew God’s plan for restoration was under way.  Likewise Anna, a prophetess who the bible says was constantly at the temple, also came up to Mary and Joseph at the same time as Simeon and gave thanks to God and spoke about Jesus to everyone who was waiting for the coming Messiah. 

It’s really interesting to note that by now, the truth of who Jesus is has been proclaimed by shepherds, a righteous man, and a prophetess, soon it will be done also by a group of foreign magi, but we have no record of Mary or Joseph ever proclaiming who they knew Jesus to be.  That isn’t to say they didn’t, but God made sure to provide people who would have had no prior contact with the family to proclaim it for them, using it as a miraculous sign to validate the claim that Jesus was the Son of God, the Savior of the world.  We also see the amplification of the message, first to individuals, Mary and Joseph, then to a small group of shepherds and whoever was present at the birth, then to a larger group of faithful Jews at the temple, and next would be to wise men from a distant land, and the king of a nation. 

The Proclamation of the Gospel

It is remarkably similar to the instruction the resurrected Jesus would have for proclaiming his Gospel in Acts chapter 1, to Jerusalem, then all Judea, then Samaria, and finally to the world, to the end of the earth.  And that’s where we are today, telling the whole earth, that this baby we celebrate at Christmas, is the Son of God, the Savior of the world.

Why do you think Simeon and Anna were important players in the Presentationa of Jesus? We would love to hear from you. Comment below or contact us at HopeStreamRadio.