What do the shepherds, Simeon, and the wise men have in common?

I snuck away with list in tow and mind scattered.  The parking lot was full but the store felt strangely empty. Shoppers were clad with masks and determined faces.  I envied the one with  pencil and  paper.  Nostalgically, I longed to check a box but would have to settle for erasing an item from the list on my phone.

Something strange happened in the checkout line.  Everyone had masks donned and remained separated by six feet. Hand sanitizer was accessible to all shoppers. The cashier valiantly maintained her position behind the erected plexiglass.  And yes it was odd to actually have a cashier, but something else caught my attention.  A noise.  A melody. A Christmas song.

To my great delight the cashier was humming and then softly singing a Christmas hymn.  She praised God for her job sharing 6 months prior she was unemployed. God had provided.

My items were bagged and cart re-loaded.  My list was long and the day short.

Several stops later, I found myself at one of the last remaining brick and mortar book stores.  While waiting in line, I heard an attendant with phone in hand saying, yes, God’s purpose for your life.  I couldn’t believe my ears.  Was someone requesting a book about God’s purpose for their life?

I walked away thinking, God is moving.  He hasn’t stopped.  He makes Himself known to those who seek Him.

Maybe that’s why Simeon caught my eye this year when I read the Christmas story.

You will find Simeon tucked in between the shepherds and the wise men.  (Luke 2; Matthew 2)

Forty days after his birth, Joseph and Mary took Jesus to the temple. The same day the Holy Spirit moved Simeon to go into the temple courts. Simeon was a devout man and had been waiting for the consolation of Israel.  When Simeon encountered baby Jesus in the temple courts, the Holy Spirit fulfilled His promise to Simeon that he would not die before he saw the Lord’s Christ.  Luke 2:25-27

The shepherds had dedicated their lives to raising lambs. Many were temple lambs that would be sacrificed as sin offerings. On Christmas night, a heavenly host of angels majestically announced Christ’s birth.  Jesus would be the ultimate temple lamb sacrificed for the sins of many. The shepherds went in search of Jesus and quickly found Him in the manger.

For years, Simeon had been anticipating the consolation of Israel.  His sign was subtle.  The Holy Spirit moved him to go into the temple courts. Had he delayed, he would have missed Jesus.

The wise men discerned an obscure sign in the sky.  They traveled far and at great cost and time to see the one born of king of the Jews.

These serve as a reminder.

During some seasons of our lives, Christ’s presence will be easily detected. We will not have to travel far to find Him.  Some seasons in life, His presence will be subtle.  If we delay we may miss Him.  Some seasons we will need to diligently seek Him at great cost and time.

However, everyone who sought Him, found Him.

Praying we too will seek Him.