Welcome friends to the Ransomed Heart podcast. I'm John Eldridge and with me today Craig McConnell here.

We wanted to interrupt the beautiful Outlaw series that we hope you've been enjoying because it is now officially

Advent. Yesterday was the first Sunday in Advent. And those of you who observe the tradition of doing

the Advent wreath, something that we've enjoyed with our boys over the years, especially when they were young, just

building the anticipation for Christmas and as many parents try and do, get a little bit of Jesus into the season, you know.

Those of you who maybe are at least familiar with the Advent wreath know that we let the first candle last night and that is the promise

candle or the prophecy candle, the candle of hope. And I wanted to introduce a thought today as we go into Advent season here in this first week.

But let me begin by reading a passage out of Luke. It says that there was a man in Jerusalem called

Simeon who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel.

And the Holy Spirit was upon him.

It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's

anointed one. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the Temple courts and

when the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the law required,

Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying, Lord, saying Lord, sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant

in peace.

For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all

people a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.

What I was so moved in my own kind of advent

reflection this week is the idea of he was waiting.

Yeah. Like how long?

How long has this guy been waiting?

You know you get the impression he's an old man because he's about to die.

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