sacrifice, as ordered in the law of the Lord: a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.
There lived in Jerusalem, at this time, a very upright and devout man named Simeon; the Holy
Spirit was in him. He looked forward to the time when the Lord would comfort Israel; and he had
been assured, by the Holy Spirit, that he would not die before seeing the Messiah of the Lord.
So, he was led into the temple by the Holy Spirit at the time the parents brought the child Jesus,
to do for him according to the custom of the law. Simeon took the child in his arms, and blessed
God, saying,
“Now, O Lord, you can dismiss your servant in peace, for you have fulfilled your word and my
eyes have seen your salvation, which you display for all the people to see.
Here is the light you will reveal to the nations, and the glory of your people Israel.”
His father and mother wondered at what was said about the child. Simeon blessed them,
and said to Mary, his mother, “Know this: your son is a sign; a sign established for the falling
and rising of many in Israel, a sign of contradiction; and a sword will pierce your own soul, so
that, out of many hearts, thoughts may be revealed.”
Reflect:
Simeon is a symbol of the “waiting in hope” that the season of Advent was all about. He cherished
a promise from the Holy Spirit that he would not die before seeing the Messiah in person. However,
given the times he lived in, with its reduction of religion to mere ritualistic services and an easy
commerce for the spiritual leaders, one would have least expected the Messiah to appear
then. Moreover, when someone waits for a long, long time, the wait can get monotonous, weary,
and less intense and alert; and there is every chance that one may miss the target when it appears.
Not so with Simeon. He waited in hope with fresh eyes, and he recognized the baby-Messiah who
came by in swaddling clothes. When we pass through dark times and the daylight seems to be a
distant dream, may Simeon inspire us to wait in hope for God’s breakthrough.
© Copyright Bible Diary 2022