Simeon: A Song of Hope
For Meditation
Our fourth Song of Christmas is Simeon's song, found in Luke 2:25-35. When Mary and Joseph bring the infant Jesus to the temple to dedicate him and to perform the purification rites prescribed in the Mosaic law, they meet Simeon and Anna, two people who had been waiting faithfully for "the consolation of Israel" Israel for many years. As Simeon holds the baby Jesus in his arms, the very realization of his hope and the proof of God's faithfulness, he sings a song of peace. He can now rest in peace, knowing that God will continue to be faithful to him and to Israel. But Simeon also has a word of warning for Mary and the baby Jesus. God is faithful, but his kingdom won't come in the way anyone expected. Pain and suffering will go hand and hand with comfort and deliverance.
Simeon's song shows us something about Christian hope. He and Anna give us a beautiful picture of what it looks like to wait faithfully in hope. He reminds us that God's answer to that for which we hope--His work of deliverance and comfort for His people--is often mysterious and unexpected. And Simeon shows us that when we behold Jesus, God with us, we can rest in peace, knowing that God has fulfilled his promises to His people and will continue to do so.
In preparation for worship, consider what it is that you are waiting for. Hold before God one way that you are hoping for him to show up with deliverance and comfort, and ask him to speak into that specific longing as we hear God's word together on Sunday.
Luke 2:25–35
25 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. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27 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, 28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:
29 “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,
you may now dismiss your servant in peace.
30 For my eyes have seen your salvation,
31 which you have prepared in the sight of all nations:
32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and the glory of your people Israel.”
33 The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. 34 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, 35 so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”