Simeon and Anna - Do We Hear Them Today?

Simeon and Anna - I wonder if we'd have time or attention for them today? In Luke Chapter 2 we read:

"And there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. And he came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to carry out for Him the custom of the Law, then he took Him into his arms, and blessed God, and said, "Now Lord You are releasing your servant to depart in peace..."

Then there is Anna, 84 years old, who comes into the temple as Simeon is speaking to Mary and Joseph;

 "At that very moment she came up and began giving thanks to God, and continued to speak of Him to all those who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem."

I can't recall the last time I heard an 84 year old speak to a congregation. And while Luke doesn't tell us how old Simeon was, he was turning the last page in his life. I wonder how many people paid attention to Simeon and Anna? Perhaps they were viewed as eccentrics? There is Simeon purporting to have been shown by God that he wouldn't die before seeing the promised Messiah - come on now, really Simeon. 

We don't know whether Simeon was shown this when he was young or old or somewhere in between. If he was old when he was given this promise perhaps folks thought he was delusional in his old age. If he was younger then perhaps people thought he was holding onto a figment of his imagination - either way he probably couldn't win. 

And Anna? Perhaps she was considered a kind and well-intentioned old woman. 

The Temple is filled with priests and members of the governing class of Israel; the influential and the wealthy trod its pavement; business is transacted (a feature Jesus Christ would deal with in due time); politics is discussed; national affairs are decided; Simeon and Anna may go about their days relatively unnoticed - they are likely without influence. And yet who in the Temple "sees" the Messiah? Who in the Temple speaks about the Messiah they see? Two old folks, two senior citizens.

I imagine there are many Simeons and Annas in our communities and in our churches, there may be a Simeon or Anna living right next door to you or me - but how often do we see them? How often do we hear them? How often do we give them the place of honor or preference; not honor or preference analogous to a Boy Scout helping someone across a street; but honor and preference due to wisdom, experience, humility, and a life-long passionate desire to see the Lord's Christ?