22 When the time came for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord”), 24 and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: “a pair of doves or two young pigeons.”
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.”
Questions for Reflection:
Like Simeon, are you actively waiting each day for the Consolation of the world to complete His work?
The text says that Jesus would bring the fall and rising of many — how does the incarnation of Jesus effect your life on a daily basis?
Prayer of the Week:
Daily Opening Prayer (including 2 minutes of silence)
Father, Son, Holy Spirit, I rejoice in the reality and opportunity to spend these moments in Your presence. It is so good to be in Your presence this day. Please, restore me in You and renew me in you that I might experience all of You that is possible. Fill me afresh Holy Spirit, saturate me in Your Love, saturate me in your Life and saturate me in Your JOY this day. Untangle me from my anxious thoughts, immerse me now in my true identity as a child of my heavenly Father with an irreplaceable role to play this day, in Your larger story.
Jesus, help me untangle from all other claims on my attention as I engage with you in this time. I ask for more of your JOY today and an increased capacity to REJOICE in You and all You are to me. I am open to You Jesus now … I rest in You… (Spend two minutes of reflective silence with eyes closed, this time is embedded in the audio version … just rest in the presence of yourself and Jesus!)
Daily Closing Prayer
Thank you Father for sending me your Son, the Light of the World, through the mystery of His incarnation. Fill me with Your Light, fill me with the Holy Spirit, and give me a deeper desire for You, for Your JOY in my life, and a sense of bring Your Light into the darkness of this world. Jesus, I renounce any and all ways I tend to replace You through the celebration of this season. Help me Re-see ways this season actually ignites my passion and longing for You. I want more of you Jesus. I need, utterly need, more of You Jesus. Fill me to overflowing with Your life and Your love.
Jesus through waiting I ask for more of Your presence. I want to know You more. I want to spend all my day in side-by-side friendship with You. I receive You now.
I am excited to see what You can do today. I know You can do amazing things, and I would love to be a part of them.
I am waiting for Your cue.
Amen
