My Eyes Have Seen Your Salvation

Now let your servant go in peace according to your word.

Programming Note: If you’ve been reading Jesus Daily since we began 365 days ago…Congratulations! And thank you for joining it. It’s been meaningful and rewarding. Here’s to beginning again tomorrow! The goal is to again read through the whole of the gospels, the four books that teach us about Jesus’ life, teachings, & ministry. We’ll begin with Luke, still within this Christmas season, by reading the Lukan birth narratives. But also this year, we’ll join each day in reading another book of the Bible alongside a gospel, one at a time, seeking Jesus’ way and means as we go. For today, the first (and only) Sunday of Christmas, we join with the Church in a couple of the lectionary readings for Christmas 1.

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Luke 2:22-40 | Galatians 4:4-7

Jesus was born and died a Jew. The gospels are clear about this. Today, almost surely thanks to Mary’s memory as she shared them with Luke, we read about the infant Jesus being faithfully brought through Jewish infant rites.

The inclusion of the stories of Anna and Simeon are a gift from Mary to Luke to us. Faithfulness is rewarded. Not always immediately, but quite often, only after many, many years. This is a needed reminder for this generation.

Keep going.

Simeon’s prayer of thanksgiving is such a beautiful end. May it encourage you as you think about the long road of life.

Luke 2:22-40

When the time came for their ritual cleansing, in accordance with the Law from Moses, they brought Jesus up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord. (It’s written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male will be dedicated to the Lord.”) They offered a sacrifice in keeping with what’s stated in the Law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.

A man named Simeon was in Jerusalem. He was righteous and devout. He eagerly anticipated the restoration of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. The Holy Spirit revealed to him that he wouldn’t die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. Led by the Spirit, he went into the temple area. Meanwhile, Jesus’ parents brought the child to the temple so that they could do what was customary under the Law. Simeon took Jesus in his arms and praised God. He said,

“Now, master, let your servant go in peace according to your word,
    because my eyes have seen your salvation.
You prepared this salvation in the presence of all peoples.
It’s a light for revelation to the Gentiles
    and a glory for your people Israel.”

His father and mother were amazed by what was said about him. Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “This boy is assigned to be the cause of the falling and rising of many in Israel and to be a sign that generates opposition so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your innermost being too.”

There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, who belonged to the tribe of Asher. She was very old. After she married, she lived with her husband for seven years. She was now an 84-year-old widow. She never left the temple area but worshipped God with fasting and prayer night and day. She approached at that very moment and began to praise God and to speak about Jesus to everyone who was looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.

When Mary and Joseph had completed everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to their hometown, Nazareth in Galilee. The child grew up and became strong. He was filled with wisdom, and God’s favor was on him.

Galatians 4:4-7

But when the fulfillment of the time came, God sent his Son, born through a woman, and born under the Law. This was so he could redeem those under the Law so that we could be adopted. Because you are sons and daughters, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba, Father!” Therefore, you are no longer a slave but a son or daughter, and if you are his child, then you are also an heir through God.

Prayer

God,

The Christmas story continues to inspire me. May I ask for some of its fruits?

Give me
…the sure and steady devotion of Joseph.
…the willingness and powerful acceptance of Mary.
…the innocence and the infant Jesus.
…the long-view vision of Simeon.
…and the daily persistence of Anna.

By your spirit & in Christ,
Amen.