Waiting Advent Devotions: Simeon

“Wait for the Lord;
    be strong, and let your heart take courage;
    wait for the Lord!”  Psalm 27:14 (ESV)

When Jesus was just a few weeks old, Joseph and Mary took Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord as the Law required.  Luke 2 tells the story of a man in Jerusalem named Simeon.  Simeon, the Bible tells us, was righteous and devout and was waiting for the Messiah and the comfort He would bring to His people. We have no idea how old Simeon was, but we know the Holy Spirit had revealed to him that he wouldn’t die until he had seen the Christ.  The Spirit directed Simeon to go to the temple courts that particular day when Joseph and Mary were there with baby Jesus.  God revealed to Simeon that this Baby was the Messiah!  Simeon took Jesus into his arms and praised God with the words we now use in our liturgy, the “Nunc Dimittis.”

“Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace,
according to your word;
for my eyes have seen your salvation
that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and for glory to your people Israel.” Luke 2:29-32

Simeon then blessed Mary and Joseph and said, “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed.  And a sword will pierce your own soul, too.”

God sent people like Simeon to prepare Mary for the difficulties ahead.  Unfortunately, difficulties are part of life because of sin and we experience them, too. Simeon waited for the Savior and God allowed him to see Him. Like Simeon, we need a Savior.  We may not see Jesus return during our lifetime, but we know He will return and we will see Him in God’s time.

Prayer:

Lord, thanks for sending people to help us through life.  You send us Your Holy Spirit through Word and Sacraments and what a Comforter He is!  When You call us home to be with You, we will depart in peace– confident that You, Who began a good work in us, will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.  Amen.