Spend time in prayer and silence with God asking Him to meet with you and speak to you.
Bible Reading
On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise Him, He was named Jesus, the name the angel had given Him before He was conceived. When the time of the purification according to the Law of Moses had been completed, Joseph and Mary took Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord”), 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.” 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 upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 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, Simeon took Him in his arms and praised God, saying: “Sovereign Lord, as You have promised, You now may dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen Your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all the people, a light of revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to Your people Israel.” The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about Him. 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, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”
– Luke 2:21-35
Devotion
Simeon’s devotion was expressed in the care with which he fulfilled the prescribed religious duties. He also is identified as one of the people who was expecting God to fulfill His promise of sending the Messiah. Upon seeing Jesus, he took the child into his arms and thanked God for keeping His promise. Simeon was holding the Messiah – his salvation! He declared Jesus to be a blessing to both the Gentiles and the Jews.
The Big Question
Simeon was part of a remnant that looked forward to the first advent of the Messiah. What meaning does the first advent hold for you? Are you part of that remnant of believers that is excitedly looking forward to Christ’s second advent? If so, how does this impact the way in which you live your life?
Conclude your time in prayer and silence, reflecting on what God revealed to you today.