Simeon took him (Jesus) in his arms and praised God, saying: “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.” Luke 2:28-32
Gracious Jesus, it’s just a couple of days after Christmas and many of my neighbors are already taking down their lights and trees. It seems like we’re always in a hurry for the next thing. Traffic never moves fast enough… waiters don’t bring our food soon enough… and the mail isn’t delivered quick enough. This year, “after Christmas sales” began two weeks before Christmas day. I’m no exception to this harried and hurried way of doing life.
I guess this is one of the reasons I’m drawn to Simeon—a man who seemed to live at a different pace than I do. We know so little about this “righteous and devout” man, but we do know he was “waiting for the consolation of Israel”—that is, longing for the arrival of the Messiah… anticipating fulfillment of promises God alone can keep… hoping to see you, Jesus.
Eight days after your birth, Simeon took you into his arms, Jesus—you, by whose arms all things have been made and are sustained… the very arms which would be stretched out on a cross thirty-three years later. Whether or not he expected to die soon, the peace that resulted from that embrace changed everything.
Jesus, it’s only because you’ve embraced us in the gospel that we have the same peace Simeon experienced. For you are God’s promised salvation… for Israel, for Gentiles and for us. In you we’ve found the consolation and comfort which can’t be found anywhere else. You are our forgiveness… our righteousness… our ballast in the storms of life… our sanity in the chaos of relationships… our hope in the uncertainties of this world.
As we’re on the verge of beginning a new year, may the peace of your grace help us live by the pace of your peace. Jesus, center us… settle us… focus us for living in light of the full and final consolation of your second coming. If we’re going to be in a hurry about one thing this year, may it be to linger longer in your presence. Everything else will take care of itself. You’re not calling us to do a single thing for you, but everything with you. So very Amen, we pray in your merciful and magnificent name.
