By Bekah Shaffer
Simeon.
An elderly man forgotten by most. Forgotten by the people in his day and forgotten by those of us who stop reading the account of Jesus’ birth five verses before his part begins.
Those around him probably considered him senile. They heard him talk about “the consolation of Israel.” What did that even mean? He walked around, smiling peacefully, insisting that he would continue to live until “the consolation of Israel” arrived. People smiled politely, nodded, and scurried away before he went into full detail of whatever he meant.
Did Simeon himself wonder if he’d heard correctly? As the telltale signs of aging settled in upon his body, did he wonder if he would really make it? The mornings when he could barely move his arthritic joints, did he sigh and begin to prepare himself for his conviction to be more of a personal dream than God’s revelation to him?
We don’t know how it happened, but it might have gone something like this: Simeon lifted his eyes and saw a man and a young woman entering the courts. The woman cradled an infant in her arms, tugging him closer to her body as they moved amid the people.
The rushing in Simeon’s spirit grew stronger.
Simeon took step by painful step closer to the couple and with each one, he felt a Presence drawing near. His gaze fixed upon the bundle in the woman’s arms. The Presence nestled there.
Scripture doesn’t tell us what Simeon said to Mary and Joseph. We don’t know if he told them the whole story from the beginning, if he stopped to inquire who they were and who this Child was, or if he simply reached out to take the Baby.
But we do know Simeon held the Son of God.
This righteous man whose eyes had seen more days than most, stretched out his frail arms that now seemed renewed with strength beyond himself and accepted the Christ Child.
He pulled back the edge of the cloths Mary had wrapped around her Son and found himself face to Face with the Savior of the world.
The Consolation of Israel napped in his arms.
He held the baby.
He could go in peace.
For the Prince of Peace had arrived.
These words are excerpts from “His Advent: Still His Greatest Gift” written by Rebekah J (Freelan) Shaffer published by Westbow Press. Used by permission .
Brenda Jank and the Run Hard. Rest Well. team are thought leaders in the arena of Restorative Wellness. Find additional resources at www.RunHardRestWell.org. Contact us at: Brenda@runhardrestwell.org
This is beautiful! Weeping with you. Thank you for sharing.
Blessings, Tami
Thank You!
This was an excellent presentation of Simeon who was comforted by holding the Christ Child before his own death.
At the age of 92 I *can identify with this saint in Israel around the year 0.*
Bekah has shared such a beautiful series.
Hope is a matter of the heart..