Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory

“Simeon was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. It had been revealed to him…that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus…Simeon took him 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 nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.” – Luke 2:25-32

Simeon’s story is one of the sweetest in the scriptures.

Simeon was guided by the Holy Spirit to the temple to see the fulfillment of a promise. The Holy One had promised Simeon that he would see the Messiah: the long awaited one who would restore the lost, who would bind the brokenhearted, set free the oppressed, and bring good news to the poor. Simeon would see this one, before he died.

I’m sure each of us can name any number of things we’d like to see before we die. People we’d like to see, justice we want to witness, moments of reconciliation we want to be a part of before we reach the end of the road. We don’t know if or when we’ll see the day but we keep hope alive, we keep working, and we keep showing up.

I wonder how long had Simeon had been waiting? How many days of disappointment had he endured? How did he keep his spirits up when doubt crept in? All we know is that Simeon clung to God’s promise and when the Holy Spirit said go, Simeon went. And then at long last, the promise is fulfilled in the flesh. Simeon takes the baby into his aged arms. His worn eyes glimmer with a spark of hope and with the voice of wisdom, trembling with joy he praises God.

Beloved child of God, let us follow Simeon’s lead. Let us cling to God’s promises through each and every season. Let us listen for when the Holy Spirit calls us to move. And let us praise Christ, the embodiment of God’s unfailing love.