²⁵Now 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. ²⁶It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. ²⁷Moved 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, ²⁸Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:  ²⁹“Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,   you now dismiss your servant in peace.  ³⁰For my eyes have seen your salvation,   ³¹which you have prepared in the sight of all people,  ³²a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.”  ³³The child’s father and mother marvelled at what was said about him. ³⁴Then 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, ³⁵so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”

Meditation:

1. Simeon (righteous and devout, v25) spent a long life of hopeful prayer and faithful witness.  What he has been praying for all his life is now present in this infant.  He takes the child in his arms and blesses him, and the parents.  He’s now ready to die.
2. The prayers of Mary and Simeon are complementary to each other:  the young Mary starting out in submission to God’s word; the old Simeon ending in submission to God’s word.  Mary and Simeon submissively and believingly spoke the prayer: “according to your word”(1:38, 2:29).
3. Read the two prayers by Mary and Simeon (1:38, 2:29).  Focus on the words “according to your word”.  Listen to what God is speaking to me.  How could you use this phrase “according to your word” in your response prayer today?

Suggestion for Family Devotional Time:  Discuss #3 with children.

Prayer & Journaling:  On your prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Proverbs for Today 6:27-29

²⁷ Can a man carry fire next to his chest and his clothes not be burned? ²⁸ Or can one walk on hot coals and his feet not be scorched? ²⁹ So is he who goes in to his neighbor’s wife; none who touches her will go unpunished.