by David Chadwick
Proverbs 25:2 says, “It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings is to search things out.” God loves for his children to search out the hidden treasures of his story. This week, I am sharing five of my hidden heroes from the Christmas story with you.
Simeon is today’s hidden hero. He was a righteous and devout man and the Bible says, “the Holy Spirit was upon him.” His story is found in Luke 2:22-38.
Simeon was told by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he met Jesus. He was earnestly “waiting for the consolation of Israel” and for the coming of the Messiah. Can you imagine the anticipation Simeon must have carried every day as he aged knowing that he would one day see the King of Kings and Lord of Lords face to face?
When Mary and Joseph presented Jesus on the 8th day after his birth for circumcision, Simeon was the one who blessed Jesus. “In the Spirit,” Simeon knew that Jesus was the one for whom he had long been waiting.
In Luke 2:29-32, after meeting the Christ child, Simeon said, “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, accordinging 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.”
Simeon knew that he could now depart in peace and be with his Lord. The light to the Gentiles had finally come!
Have you noticed that, like Simeon, all of the hidden heroes in the Christmas story are described as people of great devotion? Sovereignly chosen by God, I think, because of their Godly character and deep devotion to the heart of God.
May we all long for Jesus’s second advent, second coming, as Simeon did for his first! He will be the consolation of Israel…and ours as well!