A Christmas Story

I LOVE getting mail. I really love ordering something online and waiting anxiously for it to come in the mail. Sometimes I even track the package and watch it come across the country right into Dover, OH. Seriously, such a small little pleasure in life. Some things, however, I do NOT enjoy waiting for: a return email or text message, dinner to be made, checking out groceries at the store.

There is a man in the Bible directly related to the Christmas story who doesn't really get a whole lot of face time. I mean, you won't see this guy for sale with nativity sets, but he's there - you just have to look for him. Simeon. Have you heard of him?

Simeon was a devout follower of God. He had a great relationship with God and spent a large amount of time praying and reading the Bible. God had promised Simeon that one day he would have the opportunity to meet the Messiah (Jesus) face to face. Simeon held on to that promise for a long time.

Then, when he was 114 years old his promise came true. Just like every day before that he was praying with God and, the Bible tells us, the Holy Spirit "moved" him. Something felt different that day. Something was going to happen. So, he went to the temple and when we walked inside he found Jesus - right there in Mary's arms.

Read Luke chapter 2 as a family for the details on this story.

You see, God has given us all promises in the Bible, but the biggest promise he's given to every single person is the promise of eternal life. Every person can life forever with God in heaven if they ask Jesus to be the forgiver of their sins and the leader of their life. Every person!

Maybe you have already done this, but my question would be...are you living like you have a relationship with Jesus? How would our life be different if we lived every day knowing that we have a relationship with Jesus and he is in charge. For me it would be simple. If I really lived every day believing the Jesus was in control I wouldn't about what others think or say about me as much.

What about you? What would change in your life if you believed that Jesus was coming and his promises are true?



1. What do you find it hard to wait on? (food, grades, a phone call, etc.)
2. What is the hardest thing you’ve EVER had to wait on?

3. Do you have a limit to your patience? How long will you wait on the following things before you complain or give up and find another solution:
a. Dinner?
b. Your friend to call you back with plans for the weekend?
c. Your crush to ask you to a school dance?
d. Your teacher to return your research paper?
e. Other things mentioned in question #2?

4. What keeps you from being patient and waiting? (Are you afraid that what you want will never happen, or that you will miss out on something because you are too busy waiting?)

5. Can you remember a time in your life when your impatience cost you something?

6. Simeon was patient because he knew that he could depend on God to do what He said He would do. How does knowing God can be trusted enable you to wait more patiently? How can you lean on God’s promises and on His past faithfulness to help you wait expectantly?

7. How would your life change if you could live like Simeon, completely 100-percent convinced that God is who He says He is and will do what He says He will do?

8. How would you look at temptation differently? Would there really be any temptation?