welcome to today's encouragement from our daily bread reading titled Great Expectations was written by Patricia Raven
 on a busy day before Christmas and Asian woman approached the mail counter at my crowded neighborhood post office watching her slow pace the patient postal clerk treated her well hello young lady his words were friendly but somebody to hear them saying that younger is better
 the Bible inspires us to see that advanced age can motivate Our Hope
 as the Infant Jesus is brought to the temple by Joseph and Mary to be consecrated to elderly Believers suddenly takes Centre stage in Luke Chapter 2 Simeon who been waiting for years to see the Messiah took Jesus in his arms and praised God saying Sovereign Lord as you have promised you may now dismiss your servant in peace for my eyes have seen yourself vacation which you have prepared in the sight of all Nations
 then Anna a very old Prophet came along just as Simeon was talking with Mary and Joseph a widow who been married only seven years she lived in the temple to age 80 for never leaving she worship night and day fasting and praying when she saw Jesus she began praising God explaining about the child to all who are looking forward to the Redemption of Jerusalem
 these two hopeful service remind us to never stop waiting on God no matter our age with Great Expectations
 today's our daily bread devotional scripture reading is from Luke Chapter 2 verses 25 through 32 and 36 through 38
 now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simian who was righteous and devout he was waiting for the consolation of Israel and the Holy Spirit was on him
 it had been revealed to him by the holy spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Messiah moved by the spirit he went into the temple courts 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 praise God say Sovereign Lord as you have promised you may now dismiss your servant in peace for my eyes have seen your salvation which you have prepared in the sight of all Nations a light for Revelation to the Gentiles and the glory of your People Israel and now picking up 8 verse 36
 there was also a prophet Anna the daughter of panua of the tribe of Asher she was very old she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage and then was a widow until she was 84 she never left the temple but worship night and day fasting and praying
 coming up to them at that very moment she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who are looking forward to the Redemption of Jerusalem
 let's pray
 dear faithful father when we lose hope remind us to wait expectedly for you in Jesus name we pray amen
 thanks for listening today my name is Joyce Jenkins and today's encouragement was provided by Our Daily Bread Ministries