Click here to watch our sixth storybook entry! Did you find “baby Jesus” the other times? Keep your eye’s open and see if you can spot him today!

Also, did you find “baby Jesus” last Sunday?! Make sure when you go to Grow Zone this coming Sunday you look for him!

All week we have learned what a gift of grace Jesus was. He brought peace, He brought joy, and He is a beautiful example of God’s love. Remember, grace isn’t something we earn or deserve, it is a gift. God showed his grace by sending Jesus to die on the cross for our sins so we can be with God forever!

Today we want to challenge you to have a conversation with your parents. Begin by asking the following question and make sure to answer yourself.

How have you seen God’s grace in your life?

Today we want to focus on a specific prayer. You can pray this now, or you can pray right before bed.

We know prayer can be hard sometimes because you have to be quiet and focus, but prayer is important because it is an opportunity for us to talk to God! There isn’t a right way to do this or a perfect formula, you are simply talking to God, giving Him praise, and asking for His help!

Use the prayer below as we continue thinking about the night the angels visited the shepherds praising, “Glory to God in the highest heavens and on earth peace to those on whom His favor rest.”

God, thank you for loving me so much that you sent Jesus. Remind me that you already love me just like I am and remind me of the gift that Jesus is. Amen.

Simeon had been waiting his entire life for this moment. Luke tells us he was “righteous and devout,” a man who was “waiting for the consolation of Israel.” The Holy Spirit had revealed to him that he wouldn’t die before he’d seen the Messiah. So he waited. And waited. Days turned into weeks, weeks into months, months into years. How many times did he go to the temple hoping today would be the day? How many times did he wonder if he’d heard God correctly?

Then one ordinary day, the Spirit moved him to go to the temple.

READ

Let’s take a moment to read Luke 2:21-35:

“On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the child, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived. When the time came for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, ‘Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord”, and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: ‘a pair of doves or two young pigeons.’

Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required,  Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: ‘Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.’

The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: ‘This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.’”

REFLECT

Mary and Joseph bring Jesus to the temple to do what the Law required—circumcision and dedication. It looks like an ordinary act of obedience, but through it God is fulfilling His extraordinary plan. Advent reminds us that God often works through simple, faithful steps. What feels routine can be the very place where His promises unfold.

Simeon noticed what everyone else overlooked. When he held the baby in his arms, years of waiting suddenly came together in one powerful moment of clarity. He knew—this child was the One. This was the promised Messiah. This was God’s salvation, lying there in swaddling clothes.

And Simeon broke into a song that’s now known as the Nunc Dimittis: “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation.” Translation: “Lord, I can die now. I’ve seen what You promised. It’s enough.”

Think about that. Simeon’s whole life had been oriented toward this one encounter. He didn’t need to see Jesus grow up, perform miracles, or change the world. He just needed to see Him, to hold Him, to know that God keeps His promises. That was enough to fill a lifetime of waiting with meaning.

But then Simeon’s song shifts in a surprising way. He blesses Mary and Joseph, but he also tells Mary something hard to hear: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.” 

In other words, Jesus’ life would bring division—some people would welcome Him, but others would reject Him. And Mary herself would feel deep pain because of what her son would go through. It’s not the kind of thing you expect to hear at a joyful moment, but Simeon is being real about what God’s salvation will cost. The light Jesus brings will reveal what’s really in people’s hearts, and not everyone will be ready for that.

Simeon remained faithful in his waiting and proved it was purposeful. He didn’t just sit around and become distracted. He didn’t become bitter or stop believing. But he remained “righteous and devout.” He kept in tune with the Holy Spirit and kept showing up to the temple. He positioned himself to recognize what God was doing when it happened.

We all have things we’re waiting on God to do—like fixing something that’s broken, answering prayers, or changing tough situations. Waiting can feel really long, sometimes longer than we think we can handle. But Simeon’s story shows us that God is still working, even when we don’t see it. He always keeps His promises, even if it takes years. And when the answer finally comes, it makes all the waiting worth it.

• How can you stay “righteous and devout” during seasons of long waiting without becoming bitter or passive?

• What would it look like for you to position yourself to recognize what God is doing in your life right now?

PRAY

Faithful God, thank You for being a promise-keeping God, even when the wait is long. Give us faith like Simeon’s—steadfast, hopeful, and attentive to Your Spirit. Help us to stay faithful during seasons of waiting, trusting that You are always working even when we can’t see it. Open our eyes to recognize Your presence and Your work in our lives today. Amen.

READ

Simeon had been waiting his entire life for this moment. Luke tells us he was "righteous and devout," a man who was "waiting for the consolation of Israel." The Holy Spirit had revealed to him that he wouldn't die before he'd seen the Messiah. So he waited. And waited. Days turned into weeks, weeks into months, months into years. How many times did he go to the temple hoping today would be the day? How many times did he wonder if he'd heard God correctly? Then one ordinary day, the Spirit moved him to go to the temple.

Let’s take a moment to read Luke 2:21-35:

On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the child, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived.

When the time came for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord”, and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: “a pair of doves or two young pigeons.”

Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required,  Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:“Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.”

The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”

REFLECT

Mary and Joseph showed up with their baby to fulfill the law—presenting Him to the Lord and offering the sacrifice of two doves, which tells us they were poor (wealthy families brought a lamb). To everyone else, this was just another young couple with another baby going through a religious ritual. Nothing special. Move along.

But Simeon saw what others missed. He took the baby in his arms, and decades of waiting crystallized into one moment of pure recognition. This was the One. This was the promised Messiah. This was God's salvation wrapped in swaddling clothes.

And Simeon broke into a song that's now known as the Nunc Dimittis: "Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation." Translation: "Lord, I can die now. I've seen what You promised. It's enough."

Think about that. Simeon's whole life had been oriented toward this one encounter. He didn't need to see Jesus grow up, perform miracles, or change the world. He just needed to see Him, to hold Him, to know that God keeps His promises. That was enough to fill a lifetime of waiting with meaning.

But then Simeon's song takes a darker turn. He blesses Mary and Joseph, but then he tells Mary something that must have pierced her heart: "This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too."

This baby would bring division. This baby would be rejected. This baby would cause His mother terrible pain. It's a strange thing to say at what should be a joyful moment, but Simeon is being honest about what this salvation will cost. The light that's come into the world will expose what's in people's hearts—and not everyone will like what's revealed.

Here's what Simeon teaches us about waiting: faithful waiting isn't passive. He didn't just sit at home hoping. He remained "righteous and devout." He stayed connected to the Holy Spirit. He kept showing up at the temple. He positioned himself to recognize what God was doing when it happened.

How many people were in the temple that day who missed what Simeon saw? How many walked right past Jesus without noticing? Simeon could have gotten bitter during his long wait. He could have stopped believing. He could have stopped showing up. But he didn't. And because he stayed faithful, he got to experience one of the most profound moments in human history.

We all have promises we're waiting for God to fulfill. Healing. Restoration. Answered prayers. Changed circumstances. The wait can be long—sometimes longer than we think we can endure. But Simeon's story reminds us that God is always working, even when we can't see it. God keeps His promises, even when it takes decades. And the moment of fulfillment, when it comes, makes the waiting worthwhile.

RESPOND

Take a moment to process what God might be leading you to do in light of what you read.

• What promises of God are you still waiting to see fulfilled, and how can you trust like Simeon did?

• How can you stay "righteous and devout" during seasons of long waiting without becoming bitter or passive?

• What would it look like for you to position yourself to recognize what God is doing in your life right now?

REST

Take a moment to rest in God’s presence and consider one thing you can take away from your time reading, then close your devotional experience by praying:

Faithful God, thank You for being a promise-keeping God, even when the wait is long. Give us faith like Simeon's—steadfast, hopeful, and attentive to Your Spirit. Help us to stay faithful during seasons of waiting, trusting that You are always working even when we can't see it. Open our eyes to recognize Your presence and Your work in our lives today. Amen.