Stand and See – Christmas Day 7

Luke 2:22, 25-32

Simeon Praises the Lord

²²The 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.

They took Jesus to the temple in Jerusalem and presented him to the Lord,

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

²⁷When 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. ²⁸Simeon 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.
³⁰With my own eyes I have seen
what you have done
to save your people,
³¹and foreign nations
will also see this.
³²Your mighty power is a light
for all nations,
and it will bring honour
to your people Israel.”

Henri Nouwen encourages us today, not to intellectualise, but to just be there. To be with Mary and Joseph as they travel to the Temple; offer their gifts, the gifts of the not well off; bring their son to God; and hear with them the words of Simeon and Anna – who had been waiting so long to see what God was going to do. We are to step into the events and let them surround us. Can we stand with Simeon, and say,

my eyes have seen your salvation

Shall we wait awhile, as long as is necessary, and see what God is going to say and do?

And the prayer from the book:

Lord,

prepare us for your presence

then,

now

and forever

Amen

This year for Advent – and into Christmas, some friends and I are using Advent and Christmas Wisdom from Henri J. M. Nouwen. You’re welcome to join us on this journey. Feel free to comment here, or on Twitter using #adventbookclub

Also blogging on the #adventbookclub are:

http://www.likeasthehart.me.uk/

http://drbexl.co.uk/

http://clairemaxim1.wordpress.com/

http://runninglife.wordpress.com/

http://dorothy726blog.wordpress.com/