Chocolate Chip Cookies… Hello Hump Day readers. Here’s a question about Christmas: “Did it fulfill what you wanted? Were your expectations meant? Were you fully engaged or just going through the motions? Did you take time to recognize Jesus and thank him for being your Savior?”

“In Jerusalem was a man by the name of Simeon. He was an upright man, devoted to the service of God, living in expectation of the “salvation of Israel”. His heart was open to the Holy Spirit, and it had been revealed to him that he would not die before he saw the Lord’s Christ. He had been led by the Spirit to go into the Temple, and when Jesus’ parents brought the child in to have done to him what the Law required, he took him up in his arms, blessed God, and said “At last, Lord, you can dismiss your servant in peace, as you promised! For with my own eyes I have seen your salvation, which you have made ready for every people a light to show truth to the Gentiles and bring glory to your people Israel.” –Luke 2:25–32 J.B. Phillips New Testament

It was 40 days before Simeon was presented to Jesus by Mary and Joseph. I often wonder if, by that time, the story about a baby in a manger but have slipped away as people got back into their normal routines. Outside of the shepherds, how many people did see Mary and Jesus and their child? There are so many timelines we don’t know, but what we do know was Simeon recognized the child immediately! So, like Simeon, do we recognize Jesus?

We may not see Jesus in the flesh like Simeon did, but Jesus is with us 24/7! Do we take the time to recognize Jesus and be thankful for how he leads us, helps us, etc.? This reminds me of a cute story about cookies…enjoy it and learn from it!

Mom told her two sons that she was making chocolate chip cookies for them. “Yay” they shouted, then one ran off to plan a video game but the younger son wasn’t going to leave the kitchen. He watched his mom make the cookies and helped her put them in the oven. While waiting, they had a great conversation until the oven’s clock beeped. “Wow, they smell so good. I’ll take them out of the oven for you mom.” She enjoyed his enthusiasm and put the cookies on a rack to cool. In a few minutes she called out to her older son, but he was so busy at his game that he’d forgotten about the treat. She called out one more time but no answer. “Well, son, it’s you and me and let’s dive into those cookies?” And the did, and they shared stories and no doubt, it was a special time with mom and her son.

I think that Simeon is like that youngest son. He had heard God’s promise of a Messiah, and rather than just go about life waiting but not watching for it, he expectantly believed God would do what God said he would do. So, when Jesus came, Simeon was ready, and he was one of the first to recognize the child for who he really was – the promised salvation he’d been waiting for!

Just imagine how the older boy would have enjoyed​ this time with his brother and mother, but instead he didn’t want to be bothered with that, he was busy with his video game. I think we are like that as well. We are living in the time when the promise of salvation has already come, but we are yet waiting for the promise of Christ’s return. So, are we too busying with ourselves and other things, or are we waiting with expectation, talking to God, enjoying ​being in his presence, and finding amazing things every day that God has for?

We all are waiting for many things and way too often we want them now! God’s timing is not like ours. God says “My child, wait expectantly for my promises, they will always be there for you and–right on time.” May we be like Simeon, waiting, expecting and recognizing our Savior who never breaks his promises–especially with chocolate chip cookies! AMEN.