A Common Thread

Throughout the wonderful slice of history that encompasses the drama of that first Christmas, God carefully selected the people who would be the key players in this story. Two of them are introduced by Luke when Mary and Joseph took the baby Jesus to the Temple to be dedicated. Simeon was a righteous and devout man who had been promised by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Christ Child. And Anna, a prophetess who had been a widow for many years, served in the Temple day and night. Both of these special individuals had three characteristics that I call “H.O.P.” Their whole lives were marked by three things: humility, obedience, and purity.

God looks for people like Simeon and Anna, and He blesses them. Because they had HOP, He bestowed His favor upon them. And He will do that today in this drama of life in which we are engaged. What you need is HOP – Humility. Obedience. Purity.