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.” (Luke 2:28-32).The birth of Jesus impacted so many, even at the time. Even though his was an ordinary birth to ordinary parents, yet still things happened.
Angels sang to announce his birth, wise men traveled following a star from a long way away, and two people, devoted to God, saw his promise to them fulfilled.
Simeon was righteous and devout, Luke 2 says. 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.
Here was a man who had been waiting for some time. The Bible doesn’t say how long, but that day, he was moved by the Spirit to go to the temple courts.
That was because that day, Mary and Joseph brought Jesus in for his official presentation to God. Children were brought in on the eighth day of life to be circumcised and to be dedicated to God. As good Jews, they did this and met Simeon.
What it must have been like for Mary and Joseph. Every once in a while, someone would grab their baby and begin praising God for him and for his mission in the life of the world.
Today was no exception. Simeon met them and told them how he had waited for the salvation of God. And here it was, in this child.
He blessed Jesus, but then he gave the caveat. 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 2:34-35).
Mary probably didn’t understand this, but you know she hated hearing it. It just didn’t sound pleasant.
But before she had time to think about it much, another person comes up. Anna, a prophetess, Luke says, who was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying.
She came to Mary and Joseph at the same moment Simeon finished, and gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.
With this reeling in their heads, Mary and Joseph left and went home to Nazareth. The gospel account leaves us there, just telling us that the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him.
But what it must have been like. Everybody thinks that their child is special and will do something great. Rarely does anyone look at a baby and figure it will never amount to anything.
Jesus, on the other hand, was surely different. His was a real mission. He had been born for a reason. This little baby was, as Isaiah said, the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince or Peace. On his shoulders the judgment of the world would rest.
No matter how long you wait for something, if God said it would be, it will be.
What a day that was for Mary and Joseph. It was probably the last for a while, since you don’t hear of Jesus until he was twelve.
But she never forgot them, that is for sure.
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