Have you ever been taken by surprise when something or someone showed up unexpectedly? Jesus told several parables about unexpected arrivals. The parable of the ten virgins (Matt. 25:1–13), the watchful servants (Mark 13:24–37; Luke 12:35–40), the friend at night (Luke 11:5–13), and the tenants (Matt. 21:33–46) all have the element of surprise featuring those who are caught unprepared.

While these parables looked forward to the return of Christ, surprise was also a feature of the first Advent. One of the great ironies of Christ’s birth is that it seemed completely unexpected by those to whom it had been long promised. This was not the case for Simeon, who Luke says “was waiting for the consolation of Israel” (v. 25). In one sense, Simeon was nobody special. Luke does not describe him by profession or title.

Yet two distinguishing marks set Simeon apart from others. He was both devout and a man of the Spirit. Although not a writing prophet like Isaiah or Jeremiah, he had been prepared for the arrival of Israel’s Messiah by a revelation from God. Simeon did not know the exact day or time. The Spirit only told him that he “would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah” (v. 26).

When the time came for Joseph and Mary to have Jesus circumcised, the Holy Spirit prompted Simeon to go into the Temple courts. Since both Joseph and Mary were there, this was probably the Court of Women. The Spirit made Simeon aware that this was the child he had been waiting to see. He took the child in his arms and praised God in words that were also prophetic. Simeon’s words anticipated the spread of the good news to the Gentiles as well as its resistance by many in Israel (v. 34). He concluded with a personal word for Mary (v. 35).