Song of Simeon

 

"Lord, you now have set your servant free

to go in peace as you have promised;

For these eyes of mine have seen the Savior,

whom you have prepared for all the world to see:

A light to enlighten the nations,

and the glory of your people Israel."


As a child, the season of Advent was one of the most challenging seasons for me to endure. Waiting and watching were not favorable traits, especially knowing that Christmas was near. The 20-plus days of anticipation were more like a prison sentence as we carefully marked off the days on the calendar that hung from the pantry door. And yet, we were never disappointed. Those days of sheer agony turned to pure joy every Christmas morning.


Canticle 17 above, found in our Morning Prayer service in the Book of Common Prayer, is one I read daily during Advent. They are words captured in Luke's Gospel spoken by a righteous and devout man who was waiting and watching for the arrival of the Messiah. What Scripture doesn't tell us is how long Simeon waited. We can only assume it wasn't just days, but rather years. As a man full of faith, I can imagine how excited he was when that day in the temple finally arrived. Taking Jesus up in his arms, he blessed His parents and said, "This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too." (Luke 2:34-35, NIV)


In today's world, the notion of waiting and watching can feel outdated and counterproductive. With delivery services like Amazon, we can often get what we want whenever we want, day or night. Unfortunately, when it comes to matters of faith, this is hardly the case. Our frustration lies in the contradiction between the ways of the world and the ways of God.


Waiting and watching are essential spiritual disciplines that we are called to exercise not just in Advent but every day of the year. As people of faith, we recognize that waiting and watching cannot stand alone without hope and promise. What enabled Simeon to wait and watch was the hope he had in God's promise.


Like many of us, Simeon's life wasn't always easy. Life's circumstances tested his faith, but the hope of what was to come kept him going.


Advent teaches us that we are in between the worlds of the incarnation and the second coming. With life and its many challenges, our hope lies not in our present circumstances but in God's future glory. His is a promise of presence for now and forever more.

The Rev. Martin J. Bastian
Vice-Rector
If you would like to reply to this devotional, please email
the Rev. Marty Bastian at mbastian@smec.org.