The Christ of Christmas: Promises Fulfilled in Simeon and Anna

As we step into Advent, I invited us to prepare—not just our homes, but our hearts—to center on Jesus as the heart of Christmas. Luke 2 introduced us to Simeon and Anna, two ordinary saints who lived with extraordinary expectancy. They clung to God’s promises and were led by the Spirit to a precise, Spirit-orchestrated moment: the infant Christ in the temple. Their response was not to clutch gifts or experiences, but to bless God for His salvation—a salvation prepared for all peoples, a light to the Gentiles and glory for Israel.

We walked through how God’s promises in Scripture are trustworthy. Peter’s words remind us Christianity is not myth or imitation; it is a faith anchored in eyewitness testimony and a Bible breathed out by the Holy Spirit. Because Scripture is God revealing Himself, we don’t approach it like a rulebook to manage outcomes; we receive it as a lamp in our darkness, a voice that leads us to a Person.

That Person—Jesus—is where the Spirit always leads. The Spirit coordinated Simeon, Anna, Mary, and Joseph to the same place at the same hour, and He still does this kind of quiet choreography in our lives. But His leading often comes through sacrifice and sanctification: less of me, more of Him. When we choose obedience in the ordinary—reading, praying, submitting—our faith grows without needing to see the whole plan.

From that faith comes gratitude that’s rooted not in things, but in the nearness of God. Simeon’s peace wasn’t a “thing” he possessed; it flowed from the Lord–servant relationship he embraced while holding Christ. The early church lived this way too—bold, grateful, surrendered—because they could not help speaking about what they had seen and known.

Finally, I challenged us not to trade the real for the plastic. Religion without Jesus is a painted fire; it looks like warmth but cannot burn. The Father invites us to release the trinkets—appearances, performances, even good things—and receive the real gift: Jesus Himself, Savior and Lord. Maybe the best answer to “What do you want for Christmas?” is simply, “I want to know Jesus more.”

Key Takeaways

• 1. Prophecy is promise you can live on God’s prophecies are not curiosities to admire; they are promises to stand on. Simeon and Anna lived as if God could not lie, and their endurance met fulfillment in Christ. When Scripture shapes our expectations, waiting becomes worship rather than worry. [35:11]
• 2. Scripture is trustworthy, Spirit-breathed testimony Peter roots our confidence in eyewitness reality and divine inspiration, not human invention. The Bible is God revealing Himself, so we approach it relationally: to know Him, not to collect facts. Treat it as light in dark places and it will lead you to Christ. [41:09]
• 3. The Spirit leads through sacrifice and sanctification The Spirit’s path is Jesus-ward, and the price is often less of us. He coordinated lives in the temple, and He still arranges holy appointments as we surrender. Expect His leadership to cost you comfort and remake your character. [43:59]
• 4. Obedience first, clarity later Faith doesn’t demand a map; it follows a Person. Do what you already know—immerse in the Word, pray, submit—and God will unfold the next step. Ordinary faithfulness positions you to witness extraordinary faithfulness from God. [47:28]
• 5. Gratitude flows from Presence, not presents Simeon’s peace wasn’t a possession but the fruit of proximity to Jesus. The early church prayed “Sovereign Lord” because relationship defined their reality more than outcomes did. Release the plastic pearls of performance and receive the treasure of knowing Christ. [49:59]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [09:42] - Giving Tuesday for Stowe Center
• [10:06] - Gingerbread Bash signups and volunteers
• [10:57] - Worship-led service and Advent series
• [29:09] - From trinkets to the Christ of Christmas
• [31:02] - Reading Luke 2: Simeon’s song
• [34:05] - Advent as preparation for Christ
• [37:54] - Eyewitnesses and the trustworthiness of Scripture
• [42:11] - Led by the Holy Spirit to Jesus
• [45:07] - Faith as obedient trust
• [48:58] - Gratitude and peace in God’s presence
• [51:03] - Healing at the Beautiful Gate and bold witness
• [53:54] - Salvation: light for Gentiles, glory for Israel
• [57:15] - The plastic pearls story
• [62:40] - Call to respond and seek Jesus

Bible Reading

Luke 2:25–38 — 25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 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. 27 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, 28 he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said, 29 “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; 30 for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, 31 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.” 32 And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. 33 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 34 (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.” 35 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, 36 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. 37 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. 38 And when they had performed everything according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth.

Observation Questions

1. What specific words or actions in Luke 2:27–35 show Simeon’s relationship with God (righteous, devout, led by the Spirit), and how do those details shape his response when he sees Jesus? [31:02]
2. What concrete habits of Anna are described in verse 36–37, and how do those habits result in her response the moment she meets Jesus? What does the narrator emphasize about timing and “that very hour”? [32:40]
3. How does Simeon describe what he has seen in verses 30–31 (salvation, light to Gentiles, glory for Israel)? What practical differences do those images make for how people expected the Messiah to act? [31:53]

Interpretation Questions

1. How does the Spirit’s apparent coordination of Simeon, Anna, Mary, and Joseph in the temple (all arriving “at that very hour”) inform the group’s understanding of how the Holy Spirit works today—through circumstances, habits, and inner prompting? [42:38]
2. The sermon argued that prophecy and Scripture are “promises to live on” rather than curiosities. How does Simeon’s life (waiting on a promise until it is fulfilled) help interpret the function of Old Testament promises for believers now? [35:11]
3. The preacher said the Spirit leads by “sacrifice and sanctification” (less of me, more of Him). In light of Luke 2 and the sermon, what does it mean for the Spirit to lead through cost rather than convenience? What evidence from the passage supports that idea? [43:59]

Application Questions

1. The sermon warned against holding “plastic pearls” instead of the real gift of Jesus. Name one “plastic pearl” (an activity, achievement, rhythm, or possession) that competes with knowing Jesus this season. What concrete step will you take this week to loosen its grip? (example: delete an app notification, skip one event, limit shopping time) [01:00:46]
2. Simeon and Anna were faithful in the ordinary (prayer, worship, fasting, showing up). What ordinary spiritual habit do you already know you should keep doing (reading Scripture, prayer, worship, serving)? Commit to a measurable plan for the next two weeks: when, how long, and how you’ll be accountable. [47:28]
3. The sermon emphasized Scripture as Spirit-breathed testimony (2 Peter cited to defend eyewitness truth). Is there a part of Scripture you doubt or avoid? Identify it and plan one small, specific step to engage it this month (read a passage with a trusted friend, use a short study guide, ask someone to explain the context). [37:54]
4. The preacher said the Spirit often leads toward sacrifice—“less of me.” Where is God asking you to give up comfort, control, or reputation so you can be led closer to Jesus? Name one thing you will surrender and describe how you will practically surrender it (who you tell, what you stop doing, what you start doing instead). [43:59]
5. Simeon’s blessing flowed from being near Jesus, not from owning peace as a thing. How will you cultivate proximity to Jesus this Advent (specific times to pray, Scripture to read, a weekly Sabbath, a service to attend)? Pick one rhythm and commit to it for the month. [49:23]
6. The sermon said obedience first, clarity later. What is one obedient step you know you should take but have been waiting for clarity about? (example: apologize to someone, join a home group, begin serving.) Decide and describe the first practical action you’ll take this week to move in faith. [47:28]
7. The early church “could not help but speak” about what they had seen. Who is one person in your life you could tell about Jesus this season? How will you start that conversation (a coffee invite, a text, a short story of what Jesus has done for you)? [51:03]