The old man awoke to find himself in that in-between time when darkness has not fully given way to dawn. He lay there and watched for a few minutes as the shapes around him, gray and shrouded, imperceptible almost, gradually began to take on form and color. Perhaps he would not go to the temple this morning. He could say his prayers here like a faithful son of Israel and save his rusty knees the walk into town.
Years ago, God had revealed to Simeon that he would not die until he had beheld the Messiah face to face. At the time, Simeon had thought himself the most blessed among men-he, after all, would live to see the Chosen One. What a gift to be given by the God of Jacob, Isaac, and Abraham. But as the years dragged by and no Messiah was forthcoming, Simeon began to wonder if he had heard rightly. He never doubted it was the voice of the Almighty and God had spoken too clearly to allow for any misgivings. But he had begun to believe that the promise was an evidence of God’s mysterious sense of humor: how long would the Lord have to keep him alive to see the prophecy fulfilled?
Simeon dressed, he draped his prayer shawl over his head, and went outside to present his morning litany. The sun was rising through broken clouds, and the air held a chill. He steeled himself against a shiver an began his prayer “Bless art thou, O Lord of the Universe, Creator of heaven and earth . . .” Simeon halted arrested by the incredible beauty of the sunlight shafting through the clouds over the bright white buildings of Jerusalem. It almost looked as if God were reaching out from the heavens, pointing down to the very place where he stood. Off in the distance he saw lights of a smaller town, the house of bread, also known as Bethlehem. It was the city where David the great King of Israel had been born. Some say that it would also be there that the Messiah would have his birth.
Then a voice whispered in his mind: This is the day. This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it, Simeon murmured, he continued to pray as his mind progressed through the Psalm. “Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord . . .”
This is the day, the voice repeated. The One who comes in the name of the Lord comes today.
Suddenly the truth pierced through to Simeon’s mind. This is the day. The light has dawned. The light will overcome the darkness. This voice it was like the voice of God only it was softer and it seemed to blend into a chorus of voices. Could it be that the Messiah had been born? He had heard there had been a stir in Bethlehem something about a baby in a stable, shepherds, and angels. He had heard of Zechariah and his visitation but he had never witnessed angels from the heavens, if angels came what would they say. Would they speak to the whole community? Would they blow trumpets and crash the cymbals? To whom would they speak?
He should go to the temple. Today the Messiah might be there, the day he had waited so long to see may be at hand. He got there just as a young woman and a muscular man participated in the ceremony of circumcision. The man stood silent and reverent, while the woman, almost a girl really, turned her head aside, cringing when her son began to cry. When the ceremony was finished the man scooped up the tiny babe in his massive arms and comforted him, then handed him to his mother. Simeon smiled. Such a nice little family-obviously poor, but faithful he thought. How it warmed his old heart to see the younger generation being true to their heritage, true to their God! He looked past them, his eyes scanning the temple for some sign of the Anointed One. Then his gaze was brought back to this young family. The woman smiled at him as they met eyes. She asked, “Do you want to hold him, his name is Jesus?” Simeon opened his arms and as they touched this young life he felt a jolt like liquid warmth filling his veins and pumping strength and renewed faith into his heart.
It had happened, the Messiah was here. Simeon was able to hold the child that would one day be King, not just of his home country but King of the world, both now and forever. Simeon had received the greatest gift a man could ever want, he held the child who would be the Savior of the world, the Lord of all nations, the Christ of the universe. “Lord, may your servant now depart in peace, according to your word. My eyes have seen your salvation, prepared in the presence of all the people. I have seen the light which will overcome the darkness.”
Yet Simeon knew that the way would not be easy so he offered to Mary the assurance that the one placed in her care would overcome all the darkness. There would be no one who was not touched by this child. Some would fall and others would rise but the kingdom the young one would usher into the world would be good and everlasting. This was Simeon’s gift to Joseph and Mary and to the child. He offered a word of peace that had come by faithfully living with the hope that Jesus was the Messiah. A faith from one that had not only seen the dust gather on shelves, but also saw the bricks crumble with age. A faith that spoke of the grace received by God through words longs ago. Simeon was a believer of the one who was the true giver. You too can experience such peace in your life for Jesus is no longer waiting in the wings but at the door of your hearts, let him enter in and this will be the greatest gift you can ever give him. Give him your heart, place it at the feet of the king.
