Simeon and Anna Meet the Baby King Preschool Lesson
Preschool lesson (ages 3–6, 20 minutes)
1. Welcome (3 min)
Sit in a circle, greet every child by name and show one thing from the story to touch.
2. The little story (5 min)
Teach the refrain first: “Here was the baby they waited for!”
Baby Jesus was eight days old. Mary and Joseph gave him his name: Jesus. The angel had told them this name even before he was born.
When Jesus was a few weeks old, they took him to Jerusalem. They went to God’s house, the temple. God’s law said that a first baby boy was holy to the Lord. Holy means he belongs to God in a special way. So they brought Jesus to God.
They also brought a gift for God: two little birds. They were doves or pigeons. Coo, coo! Can you coo like a little dove?
In Jerusalem lived a man named Simeon. He loved God and did what was right. He was waiting for God to comfort his people. And the Holy Spirit was on him.
The Holy Spirit had told Simeon something special. He would see the Christ before he died. The Christ is the Savior God promised.
Simeon waited and waited. Then one day the Holy Spirit led him to the temple. Just then, Mary and Joseph came in with baby Jesus.
Simeon took the baby in his arms. Can you rock a baby in your arms, gently? Here was the baby they waited for!
Simeon praised God. “Now you are releasing your servant, Master, in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation.” That means: Now I can go in peace, because I have seen him! Salvation means God’s way to save us.
Simeon said Jesus would be “a light for revelation to the nations.” Jesus would be like a light for all the people of the world. God had made his salvation ready for everyone, near and far. And Jesus would bring glory to God’s own people. Glory means great honor. Can you open your hands wide, like a bright light shining?
Mary and Joseph were amazed at what Simeon said. Then Simeon blessed them. He asked God to be good to them. Here was the baby they waited for!
There was also a very old woman named Anna. She came from the family of Asher, one of the twelve big families of God’s people. She was a prophetess – a woman who tells God’s words. Long ago she had been married for seven years. Then her husband died, and she lived without him for a long, long time.
Anna never left the temple. She worshiped God and prayed, night and day. Sometimes she did not eat, so she could pray. That is called fasting. Can you fold your hands, like Anna praying?
Anna came up at that very hour. She gave thanks to the Lord. Then she told everyone who was waiting for God’s help about this child. Here was the baby they waited for!
Then Mary, Joseph and Jesus went home to Nazareth. The child grew and became strong. He was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him. Grace means God’s kindness.
Simeon had waited. Anna had waited. And God kept his promise to them. He let them see his own Son, the baby Jesus. Here was the baby they waited for!
3. Talk together (3 min)
- What do you think Simeon felt when he held baby Jesus?
- Who would you like to tell good news to, like Anna did?
4. Move (3 min)
Refrain Freeze: move around the room; when you say the refrain, everyone freezes and says it together.
5. Make (4 min)
Color the 2 little birds, Simeon and old Anna.
6. Verse and prayer (2 min)
“My eyes have seen your salvation” — Luke 2:30 (my eyes → point to your eyes; have seen → hand over your eyes, looking; your salvation → rock a baby in your arms)
Dear God, thank you for baby Jesus. Thank you that you keep your promises. Amen.
Lesson for older kids (ages 6–10)
Big idea: God always keeps His promise
Memory verse: “My eyes have seen your salvation.” — Luke 2:30 · WEB
The Bible story
When Mary and Joseph carry baby Jesus into the temple, two faithful friends of God who have waited a long, long time finally see the promised Savior.
Talk about it
- In which city did Simeon live? — Jerusalem
- What special promise had God made to Simeon? — He would see God's Savior
- Where did the old woman Anna spend almost every day? — In God's temple
- Who carried baby Jesus up the temple steps? — Mary and Joseph
- How did Simeon know to go to the temple that day? — The Holy Spirit led him
- What did Simeon do when he saw baby Jesus? — He took Him in his arms
Where is Jesus in this story?
Simeon and Anna were waiting for a rescuing King, and that baby in the temple was Jesus, the Savior God had promised long ago. Simeon called Him a light for the whole world, and that is exactly who Jesus is. He came so that everyone, everywhere, could know God's love and be brought home safe to Him.
What God wants to tell us
Simeon and Anna waited a very, very long time, but they never stopped trusting God. And one happy morning, God kept His promise in the most beautiful way. Sometimes we have to wait too, and waiting can feel hard. But this story reminds us that God never forgets us and He always keeps His word. We can trust Him while we wait, because His good promises always come true.
Prayer
Dear God, thank You for always keeping Your promises, just like You did for Simeon and Anna. Help me to trust You even when I have to wait. Thank You for sending Jesus to be the light of the whole world. Amen.
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