Nunc Dimittis

Luke 2:21-35 (NIV)
²¹ On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise him, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he had been conceived.
²² When the time of their purification according to the Law of Moses had been completed, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord
²³ (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, "Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord"),
²⁴ and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: "a pair of doves or two young pigeons."
²⁵ Now 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.
²⁶ It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Christ.
²⁷ Moved 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,
²⁸ Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:
²⁹ "Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace.
³⁰ For my eyes have seen your salvation,
³¹ which you have prepared in the sight of all people,
³² a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel."
³³ The child's father and mother marveled at what was said about him.
³⁴ Then 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,
³⁵ so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too." 


Simeon stands in contrast to the Christmas terms: Joy, peace, Merry, etc...  He is an aged priest and perhaps easily dismissed as just an old man who doesn't have it all together anymore.  But that would not be consistent with the text and how God used him to make a pronouncement.
He is "righteous and devout" which means he cares deeply about God, and the future of his people.  And he has this thing...this spiritual hunch...sort of a prophetic "bucket list" thing - "I believe before I die I would see the Messiah"
And so one day he is in the Temple area...in Jerusalem.  It's 8 days after the birth of Jesus, and Mary, Joseph and the infant make a six mile trek to fulfill the requirements of the law - that their new-born son be circumcised and thus put their child under the covenant established through Abraham, some 2500 years before.  It is here that he will receive his name - Jesus - which means "Jehovah Saves".  I'll say something tomorrow about the use of the sacrifice; but for now it is an exquisite moment for this old aged faithful Jew.  He walks with stilted gate and as he moves towards Mary and Joseph and the baby, he has to stop...something in his spirit says, "Look Simeon...this is the one".  It had been "revealed" to him - the word is normally used as part of a business transaction - you'll get this from this.  This aged man has been "waiting".  How long?  Months? Years?  It does not say.  But something in his soul, in his spirit is stirred and he moves towards the baby...lifts him in his arms and speaks the words -


Simeon's pronouncement is beautiful.  As a child I heard it over and over again in church.
"Lord, let your servant depart in peace, according to your word.  
For mine eyes have seen thy salvation which you have prepared for all people.  
A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel."
It is called the "Nunc Dimittis".  "Now Dismiss"
Joy to the World,
The Lord has come
Let earth receive her King...
Advent means arrival.  The waiting is over.  Salvation is here.

Peace