simeon and anna for kids

Meet Simeon and Anna: biblical heroes for kids

By Nicole SmithDecember 26, 2025

The Bible tells us about two special people, Simeon and Anna, who play a significant role in the story of Jesus' birth. Let's learn more about them and their amazing faith.

Simeon and Anna were Jews living in Jerusalem during the time of Jesus' birth. They were superstition, spending most of their time praying and waiting for the promised Messiah, or savior.

Simeon: The Faithful Waiter

Simeon was an elderly man who had a unique promise from God. The Holy Spirit had revealed to him that he would not die before seeing the Messiah. He trusted God's promise and waited patiently for many years.

Simeon and Anna See Jesus Bible Story & Activities

Simeon and Anna | Children's Sermons from Sermons4Kids.com

One day, when Jesus' parents brought him to the temple for his circumcision, Simeon was there. The Holy Spirit revealed to him that the baby was the Messiah he had been waiting for. Simeon took Jesus in his arms and praised God, saying:

"Lord, now let your servant die in peace, as you have promised. With my own eyes I have seen your salvation..." (Luke 2:29-30)

Simeon also prophesied to Mary, Jesus' mother, about the future sufferings of Jesus and the sword that would pierce her own heart. This prophecy foreshadowed the pain and sorrow that both Jesus and Mary would experience later in their lives.

Simeon's Example of Patience

Simeon's life is a powerful example of patience and faithfulness. He waited many years for God's promise to come true, but he never lost his trust in God. His story encourages us to be patient and trust God, even when His promises seem slow in coming.

Anna: The Prophetic Widow

Anna was a widow who was also very old. She had been widowed for 64 years and spent her days fasting and praying in the temple. Like Simeon, she was waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem, or the coming of the Messiah.

Anna also recognized Jesus as the Messiah when she saw Him in the temple. She began to praise God and speak about Jesus to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem (Luke 2:38).

Anna's Prophecy~
Similar to Simeon, Anna's prophecy focused on the future of Jesus. She spoke about Him to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem, announcing to them that they had seen the promised Messiah with their own eyes.

Anna's Example of Dedication

Anna dedicated her entire life to God, spending her days fasting and praying in the temple. She is an excellent example of a life fully devoted to God's service. Her dedication to God led her to be in the right place at the right time to recognize and declare the coming of the Messiah.

Both Simeon and Anna provide powerful examples for us today. They teach us the importance of being faithful, patient, and dedicated to God, even when we cannot see the fulfillment of His promises. Their stories remind us that God is faithful and that He will keep His promises to us, just as He did for them.