Responses to Simeon’s Song
36 There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37 and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. 38 Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.”
Playing in the praise team has been a learning experience. There was a day drums were not allowed in worship. It was told to me as a child the drum was the devil’s instrument. In my church it was associated with rock and roll music to which people danced and everyone thought that was bad.
My playing is no long a novelty. It only took 50 years! But as we pray before the service, I join in the request to enhance worship to bless the Lord and the people. We are talking about playing for the Lord and not for entertainment so others can join in song and worship. In our church each Sunday the children are invited to join us with percussion instruments to a lively number where this experience includes them.
I called the praise responses of Christmas characters songs. Perhaps they were spoken and not sung, but the purpose was to honor the Lord from their hearts and bless those around them concerning the might works of God concerning Jesus. That is worship.
The text said, Mary and Joseph marveled at Simeon’s prophecy and Anna in the area heard it also and she joined in the praise. She gave thanks to God about what she had heard and saw also. She shared this truth to all who were looking forward to the redemption Jerusalem. The word was out through a very old widow who lived in the temple night and day. She never left. I there must have been some accommodations there.
This woman was named Anna. She was 84 years old, (or as some translations indicate she was a widow for 84 years). Her life had been devoted to prayer and the praise of God. She, no doubt, heard the praise of Simeon and ran to see what the commotion was all about. Her eyes, too, were open by God. Her life was now complete. Everything she had hoped for, she had prayed for, she had fasted for, she had waited for was found in this little Child born of Mary. Now was her time to worship. Now was her time to thank God. Now was her time to be in the presence of God come to earth. So, she gave thanks to God and then spoke about Him to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem. Anna bore witness to Jesus.
We continue to sing, and share, and play, and respond in various ways to the works of God, not only at Christmas time, but for all our lives on earth and beyond in glory. Like Simeon and Anna we await Jesus’ return. We anticipate the brilliance of His majesty in glory completed revealed not as the baby in the crib, but as The King on His throne. The great choir in heaven will join in the greatest of songs, “For the lord God omnipotent reigneth. Hallelujah ! The kingdom of this world is become the kingdom of our Lord, and of His Christ. Hallelujah! And amen!
Application- Praise is not only and expression of our thanks to God, but honors Him. Make your song of praise a personal prayer.
Prayer, Lord, may the words of my mouth honor you today in thanksgiving and praise.
