“My Eyes Have Seen Your Salvation”

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. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 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, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:

“Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.”

The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “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.”

Luke 2:25-35

As we thumb through our Christmas cards, we may realize we focus on the birth and death of Jesus Christ. His life is to be celebrated. He lived. He died. He lives today. His story began at Bethlehem. It seemingly ended at Calvary. It is in us today.

In Luke’s account of the Christmas story, only one person, Simeon, seems to grasp what is about to unfold. He seems to understand the mysterious nature of what God has set in motion.

Simeon knew that though on the surface little had changed – Herod still ruled, Roman troops still occupied Israel – underneath, everything had changed. God’s promised redemption had arrived.

The cradle without the cross misses the true meaning of Christ’s birth.

Our Daily Bread – December 14, 2013