December 11
Simeon’s Song of Peace
Luke 2:25–32
“25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27 Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, 28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: 29 “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. 30 For my eyes have seen your salvation, 31 which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and the glory of your people Israel.”
I wonder how often Simeon had thought about the arrival of the Messiah. Did he day-dream about seeing the One whom he had prayed for? How many times had he anticipated worshipping The One he had longed for all his life? What would he look like? More importantly, what would He be like? The promise of Jesus was something Simeon held reverently in his heart. And now, he held The Promise in his arms. Simeon saw Jesus and said, “Now I can die in peace”, for he had seen the Prince of Peace and the salvation He brings