The sign held a note of desperation: LOOKING FOR JESUS. PLEASE BRING HIM BACK!
 
Drivers passed by the house in their neighborhood to see the beautiful Nativity displayed at Christmas. They admired the wooden stable and statues of Mary and Joseph gazing at Jesus lying in the manger. Imagine their surprise when they learned the figure representing the Baby was missing, and the owners were looking for Jesus.
 
The thought of looking for Jesus is one that keeps playing over in my mind. Celebrating Advent with my church family, I thought about those who heard the prophecies and anticipated the arrival of the Messiah. They were looking for Jesus to bring hope, peace, love, and joy to a weary world. The gospel writers record the familiar accounts of those who were looking for Jesus at the time of his birth: 

• Mary looked for the Baby, the Son of God, she carried in her womb.

• Joseph looked for Immanuel, God with us.

• Shepherds looked for a Baby lying in a manger in Bethlehem.

• A caravan of Magi looked for the King of the Jews.

This year as I read the story from Luke 2, I continued to the scene when Mary and Joseph brought their firstborn Son to the temple to be circumcised. They were greeted by Simeon, who is described as “righteous and devout …. waiting for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Spirit was on him” (Luke 2:25). 
 
Simeon is not identified as a priest, Pharisee, or teacher of the law. He is not mentioned anywhere else in Scripture; yet Luke writes, “it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah” (Luke 2:26). Simeon anticipated the arrival of the one to bring comfort to the nation of Israel. He longed for the fulfillment of God’s promise for his people. Simeon was looking for Jesus.
 
As Simeon took the Child in his arms and blessed Him, another first century saint approached the young family. The widow Anna “never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying” (Luke 2:37). She praised God and spoke about the Baby to those who waited for God’s redemption of Israel. Anna was looking for Jesus.
 
I was impressed by the timing of this scene. At eight days old, Jesus had not taught great lessons or preached powerful sermons. He had not performed miraculous signs and wonders, uttered his first word or taken his first step; yet the Holy Spirit revealed his presence to Simeon and Anna because they were looking for Jesus. They waited in expectation for God to send their Savior, as the prophets foretold. He was finally here!
 
This caused me to wonder…what (or who) am I looking for this Christmas? Is it to find just the right gift for everyone on my list, try a new recipe, see the latest movie, or purchase another ornament?

As I hear the Christmas story read aloud or watch as it is re-enacted in church, as I sing the carols and celebrate Advent, I want to experience in a fresh way the birth of our Savior, when God took on flesh and walked among us. I want to remember he did not stay in the manger but came to be the Savior who stretched out his arms to die on the cross for our sins, reconciling us to our Creator so we can have peace and everlasting life.
 
As Simeon and Anna were watching and waiting for Jesus to come the first time, I pray we also will look for him. I pray we will see him at work in our families, among our neighbors and co-workers, and in our personal relationships with him. I pray we will be watching and waiting, anticipating his Second Coming. I pray this Christmas and throughout the coming year we, too, will be looking for Jesus.

Ginger Niemeyer has been involved in church ministry for more than 30 years. She served on the staff of Peoples Church in Fresno, CA and currently volunteers as a Bible study teacher and in women's and prayer ministries at her church in Sanger, CA. Ginger enjoys writing Bible studies and helping people see how practical Scripture is for everyday life.

Ginger has attended several NEWIM Springs Retreats in Three Rivers, CA where she enjoys interacting with other ministry leaders and spending times of silence and solitude with God. She also finds inspiration by participating in the NEWIM Monthly Writers’ Group. Reach out to her at gingerniemeyer@gmail.com.