12-25-12 Simeon and Hope

Christmas Day- 12/25- Luke 2:30-32- Mine eyes have seen your salvation…

Simeon took Jesus 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 people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.”

Thoughts: When we have our hopes fulfilled, it is easier to let go of this life.  So an older person will wait until a wedding or the birth of a grandbaby before letting go of this life.  But it shows in other ways- there is a sense of fulfillment when a baby is born, or someone graduates or gets married.  But the coming of the Messiah in the form of a baby was the ultimate fulfillment for the world.  Getting that present we wanted doesn’t always fulfill our hopes the way we think it should.  No present can ultimately fulfill us.  Sometimes people or kids get cranky when their expectations are not what they thought.  Putting our hope in getting things for Christmas- or even the idealistic image of everyone sitting around the Christmas table singing “Joy to the World” in perfect harmony might need adjusting.  The good news for those without family- the orphan, the widow or widower is that Christ comes to be the ultimate fulfillment of hope.  The good news for the child who gets no present or doesn’t have enough food- is that a baby was born- homeless, poor, but still to give us hope and life. 

Prayer: Lord Jesus, my hopes are fulfilled in you this Christmas.  Help me to place my hope in you as an anchor for my soul.

Application: Before you open your presents today pray (silently or out loud), thanking God for His greatest present: Himself.

Lord, bid your servant go in peace, Your word is now fulfilled.
These eyes have seen salvation’s dawn, This child so long foretold.

This is the savior of the world, The Gentile’s promised light,
God’s glory dwelling in our midst, The joy of Israel. (From “Song of Simeon” p. 603 Presbyterian Hymnal)

(Simeon the Righteous- Yegoov 1830-40)