TWO OLD PEOPLE SEE THE SAVIOUR

Dear child, you are in the new year now. It is a very cold winter now in many countries. Here in Delhi and many north Indian states, there is a cold wave. But we all have new hopes for the new year. We pray and expect for many blessings in this year. Here is the story of an old man who waited for a long time to see God's promise of the Saviour.

We know how baby Jesus was born in a manger in a cold night. Angels sang a song and told the good news to the shepherds. They came to see the baby, and worshipped Him. Mary and Joseph returned to their home with the baby. They gave the name Jesus to their baby. It was the name which the angel had told them to give to Him. Jesus means Saviour.

When Jesus was still a wee baby, His father and mother took Him to the temple-church in the big city of Jerusalem. A long time ago God had said that all fathers and mothers should bring their little babies to the church. This would show that the baby belonged to God.

Mary and Joseph wanted to obey God. They also wanted to bring God a present. Long ago God bad asked parents to do that, too.

Many other people came to the temple at Jerusalem. They came to pray and to give presents to God. A good man named Simeon was there. Simeon loved God. He knew that God had promised to send a Saviour. He had waited a long time for the Saviour to come.

God knew how Simeon felt. One day He said to Simeon: “You will not die until you have seen the Saviour.” This promise made Simeon glad. He was sure that the Saviour would come soon.

When Simeon saw the Baby Jesus in God's house, he knew that the Saviour had come. God had whispered to him: “This is the Saviour. He has come to save all people from their sins.” So he took the little Child and held Him in his arms. He was so happy.

Then Simeon thanked God for letting his see the Saviour. He thanked God for sending the Saviour. He said: “Lord, now I am ready to die, for I have seen the Saviour, whom You have sent for all people.”

While Simeon was speaking, an old lady came in. Her name was Anna. When Anna saw the Baby Jesus, she also knew that He was the Saviour. First she, too, thanked God for sending His Son. Then she said to the people who were listening: “You can be happy now. The heavenly Father has sent the Baby Jesus to help you and to save you from your sins.”

Dear child, these old people waited long to see the Saviour of the world. God heard their prayers. Our God is a good God who knows our desires and grants our prayers. In this new year, may the Lord help us to believe Him for our desires. Prayer: “Dear Lord, help me to believe your promises for me in this new year. Amen.” May God bless you!