The start of a New Year is a time to reflect — new beginnings, new possibilities, and the hope of the future where God’s promised presence displaces the brokenness, disappointments and unfulfilled desires of the past.

Throughout their history, the people of Israel had suffered greatly. Living under slavery in Egypt, enduring captivity in Babylon, laboring under Roman oppression, and experiencing endless social, economic and religious persecution, they were a people in desperate need of consolation and comfort.

The word consolation conveys the idea of calling near, a summons for help. Many in Israel believed the Messiah, the consolation of Israel, would come to bring them political and national freedom. Generations waited for his coming, including Simeon and Anna (see Luke 2:22-38).

After waiting and praying for the consolation of Israel, God allowed Simeon to hold the very Messiah in his arms. In her prophetic role Anna “saw” the destiny of the infant Jesus, speaking of Him as the Consoler to all awaiting Jerusalem’s redemption.

From them we can learn several New Year Lessons.

- Proximity to God Matters! Hope is renewed in God’s presence. Times of reflection create space for God’s Spirit to speak, guide, and correct.

- Waiting includes receptivity! More than fretting or being frustrated, waiting is time to actively seek the Lord’s voice, follow the Spirit, and welcome God’s presence.

- God meets us in our powerlessness! His grace often appears when we have no more strength, no more resources to meet our needs.

- Neutrality about Jesus is impossible! Indecision is a decision. So is doubt or unbelief.

The arrival of the New Year is a call to look back at the faithfulness of God in your life. It is a call to welcome his presence with you today. It is a call to wait in hope and expectancy on the fulfillment of God’s plans for your future. For Simeon and Anna, this expected consolation was something worth waiting for!