Waiting for the light

In dark and difficult times, believers in Jerusalem were waiting for the light to dawn. Here we see light comes to the temple, as Christ’s obedient foster-father and mother obey the law of God in all their dealings before him, and - in the path of obedience - find new confirmation and instruction and encouragement.

There is light in the temple, as Simeon sees God’s salvation - the Consolation of Israel - and embraces him and praises him, able to relinquish his role as a watcher, waiting for the fulfilment of God’s rich and full promises.

There is also light from the temple: aged Anna also rejoices because salvation has come, and she goes and speaks of the Christ to others who were looking for redemption.

For us, we need to learn not only the truth which we believe, embracing Christ by faith as he is presented to us, but also to learn from the faith of those who have gone before what it means to rely upon the word of God even in dark and difficult times.