Simeon & Anna

God’s presence in stereo!

God told Simeon that he would not die until he had actually physically SEEN the Messiah. (This was after 400 years of God’s “silence,” so this was either pretty dramatic or the aged Simeon was losing his mind.) Following the Jewish law of Purification, Joseph and Mary brought the baby Jesus (just over a month old) to the Temple in Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord. Prompted by the Holy Spirit, Simeon realized this baby was THE MESSIAH for which he had been waiting. He took the baby Jesus up in his arms and proclaimed: "For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; A LIGHT TO LIGHTEN THE GENTILES, and the glory of thy people Israel" (Luke 2:26-32). He spoke these words, perhaps VERY LOUDLY, perhaps even shouting, in the courtyard of the Temple in Jerusalem where ONLY Jews were allowed (scandalous!)

We imagine tears in Simeon’s eyes. Perhaps, like Mary, he even kissed the face of God. Can we even being to imagine: waiting and waiting and waiting and waiting and wondering if you’ve lost your marbles. This passage, recorded by Luke (a physician and gentile) is God’s presence in stereo: Simeon prays to God the Father, cradling God the Son in his arms, filled with God the Spirit. God’s Trinitarian presence all in one verse.

Over the centuries, many artists have beautifully portrayed this moment. A link to "Simeon's Moment" is below, by artist Ron DiCianni. This is a modern artist that beautifully captures this event.

http://www.tapestryproductions.com/product/simeons-moment-artwork-by-ron-dicianni/