Herod’s Roman occupation of Jerusalem would have been a tough world in which to survive. He was ruthless. Many of his family members were executed: his wife, along with her grandfather, brother, and mother, several of his sons, and many others. When he feared the prophecy of the birth of a Messiah, he ordered the slaughter of innocent babies in Bethlehem. As Herod lay dying, he gave orders to gather Jewish leaders to the Jericho hippodrome and to slaughter them upon his death so the country would mourn. This order was not carried out; instead, the Jewish people celebrated when they learned of Herod’s death.
Holy Simeon, a just and devout Jew survived that world. He spent much of his life praying for the consolation of Israel, for God to send the Messiah. We don’t know much else about him. I imagine a humble, simple man of faith. He was a man of prayer and was most likely kind to all he knew. He did not complain about the conditions of Jerusalem but simply petitioned the Lord for a Messiah. In his close walk with the Lord, Simeon knew in his bones he would one day see his Redeemer.
God honors the simple faith of humble men.
It would have been a morning like so many others that he left to pray in Jerusalem’s temple. Yet this time, a carpenter and his wife arrived, with their infant son and two pigeons. The moment Simeon saw the young babe, he knew his decades of prayers had been answered. The fulfillment was here. He reached for the baby boy and held him. Then Simeon proclaimed, “Now thou dost dismiss thy servant, O Lord, according to thy word in peace: Because my eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples: a light to the revelation of the Gentiles and the glory of thy people Israel.” (Luke 2:29-32)
Simeon’s walk with the Lord gave him more insight into the Messiah, whom he held in his arms. Simeon continued telling Mary, “This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed-and a sword will pierce your own soul too.”
God gave Simeon the chance to recognize, see, and hold our Messiah. God honors the simple faith of humble men.
God still honors our simple faith. Though we need not fear for our lives as those in Jerusalem did 2,000 years ago, we still live in an uncertain era. Our financial castles, some built on sand we didn’t realize, seem to collapse like dominoes. For some, the financial storm is such that there are so many bailouts we search for places to put the water in which ships are sinking.
Now it’s Christmas. Many families worry about their jobs, homes, health, and meager pantries. This year, we may identify with Bob Cratchit’s family from the Christmas Carol. Nevertheless, we must remember how much the Cratchits loved one another. Their Christmas feast came not from a heavily laden table with lots of presents but from their rich love for one another.
This can be our year to reread, aloud, the Christmas celebrations from Little House books. We may not have lots of money, presents, or food on the table. We can rejoice at the Nativity where we, too, can behold our Savior.
And we can change the meaning of a song from Annie Get Your Gun. We’ve got the son on Christmas morning and can celebrate him like Simeon did.
Got no diamond, got no pearl,
Still I think I’m a lucky girl.
I’ve got the sun in the morning
And the moon at night.
Got no mansion, got no yacht,
Still I’m happy with what I got.
I’ve got the sun in the morning
And the moon at night
Sunshine gives me a lovely day,
Moonlight gives me the Milky Way.
Got no checkbooks, got no banks,
Still, I’d like to express my thanks.
Got no butler, got no maid.
Still I think I’ve been overpaid,
I’ve got the sun in the morning
And the moon at night.
Got no silver, got no gold,
What you’ve got can’t be bought or sold.
I’ve got the sun in the morning
And the moon at night.
Got no heirlooms for my kin,
Made no will but when I cash in
I’ll leave the sun in the morning
We’ve got the sun in the morning
And the moon at night.
And with the sun in the morning
And the moon in the evening
I’m alright!
We’ve got the son of God in the morning, on Christmas morning and every morning, and we’re all right.
God honors our simple faith.
