The Scripture for Sunday - The Song of Simeon: A Song of Hope

Some of our best memories of Christmas involve singing some of our favorite songs and carols. Whether they’re secular or sacred, they remind us of the reason for the season and the sheer joy that’s possible during this very special time of year. And so, with that in mind, we’re going to spend some time talking about the "Great Songs of Christmas” but not necessarily the ones we associate with this holiday. Instead, we’ll look at some of the advent songs from the Bible, passages that had meaning then and can have meaning right now. During four weeks, we’ll consider the following:

• December 1 - The Song of Zechariah: A Song of Praise
• December 8 - The Song of Mary: A Song of Trust
• December 22 - The Song of the Angels: A Song of Joy
• December 29 - The Song of Simeon: A Song of Hope

During the service on Sunday, December 29, we'll use Luke 2:22-35 to better understand the song of Simeon: a song of hope. Below is the passage in three different translations. You can stream the service by going to the Sligo Presbyterian Church YouTube Channel on Sundays at 10:00 a.m. (EDT).  You can hear a podcast of the service at the Sligo Presbyterian Church YouTube Channel or the Sligo Presbyterian Spotify Page.

Luke 2:22-35 [Contemporary English Version]

Simeon Praises the Lord

22  The time came for Mary and Joseph to do what the Law of Moses says a mother is supposed to do after her baby is born.[a]

They took Jesus to the temple in Jerusalem and presented him to the Lord, 23  just as the Law of the Lord says, “Each first-born[b] baby boy belongs to the Lord.” 24 The Law of the Lord also says parents have to offer a sacrifice, giving at least a pair of doves or two young pigeons. So that is what Mary and Joseph did.

25 At this time a man named Simeon was living in Jerusalem. Simeon was a good man. He loved God and was waiting for him to save the people of Israel. God's Spirit came to him 26 and told him that he would not die until he had seen Christ the Lord.

27 When Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to the temple to do what the Law of Moses says should be done for a new baby, the Spirit told Simeon to go into the temple. 28 Simeon took the baby Jesus in his arms and praised God,

29 “Lord, I am your servant,

    and now I can die in peace,

because you have kept

    your promise to me.

30 With my own eyes I have seen

what you have done

    to save your people,

31 and foreign nations

    will also see this.

32 Your mighty power is a light

    for all nations,

and it will bring honor

    to your people Israel.”

33 Jesus' parents were surprised at what Simeon had said. 34 Then he blessed them and told Mary, “This child of yours will cause many people in Israel to fall and others to stand. The child will be like a warning sign. Many people will reject him, 35 and you, Mary, will suffer as though you had been stabbed by a dagger. But all this will show what people are really thinking.”

Footnotes

[a] 2.22 after her baby is born: After a Jewish mother gave birth to a son, she was considered “unclean” and had to stay home until he was circumcised (see the note at 1.59). Then she had to stay home for another 33 days, before offering a sacrifice to the Lord.

[b] 2.23 first-born: See the note at 2.7.

Luke 2:22-35 [New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition]

Jesus Is Presented in the Temple

22 When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord”), 24 and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”

25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah.[a] 27 Guided by the Spirit, Simeon[b] came into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what was customary under the law, 28 Simeon[c] took him in his arms and praised God, saying,

29 “Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace,

    according to your word,

30 for my eyes have seen your salvation,

31     which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,

32 a light for revelation to the gentiles

    and for glory to your people Israel.”

33 And the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, “This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel and to be a sign that will be opposed 35 so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your own soul, too.”

Footnotes

[a] 2.26 Or the Lord’s Christ

[b] 2.27 Gk In the Spirit, he

[c] 2.28 Gk he

Luke 2:22-35 [Amplified Bible]

22 And when the time for their purification came [that is, the mother’s purification and the baby’s dedication] according to the Law of Moses, they brought Him up to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord [set apart as the Firstborn] 23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male that opens the womb shall be called holy [set apart and dedicated] to the Lord)” 24 and [they came also] to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord [to be appropriate for a family of modest means], “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”

25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; and this man was righteous and devout [carefully observing the divine Law], and looking for the [a]Consolation of Israel; and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed). 27 Prompted by the Spirit, he came into the temple [enclosure]; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, [b]to do for Him the custom required by the Law, 28 Simeon took Him into his arms, and blessed and praised and thanked God, and said,

29 “Now, Lord, You are releasing Your bond-servant to leave [this world] in peace,

According to Your word;

30 For my eyes have seen Your Salvation,

31 Which You have prepared in the presence of all peoples,

32 A Light for revelation to the Gentiles [to disclose what was previously unknown],

And [to bring] the praise and honor and glory of Your people Israel.”

33 And His [legal] father and His mother were amazed at what was said about Him. 34 Simeon blessed them and said to Mary His mother, “Listen carefully: this Child is appointed and destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and for [c]a sign that is to be opposed— 35 and a sword [of deep sorrow] will pierce through your own soul—so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”

Footnotes

[a] Luke 2:25 A Messianic title.

[b] Luke 2:27 I.e. offer the turtledoves as a sacrifice.

[c] Luke 2:34 The rejecting of the Messiah, culminating in the crucifixion.