Fourth Song of Christmas: Nunc Dimittis

Simeon's Song

Forty days after his birth, Mary and Joseph took Jesus to the temple to dedicate him to the Lord. This was done in accordance with Exodus 13:1-2 says, “Then the LORD said to Moses, [2] "Dedicate to me every firstborn among the Israelites. The first offspring to be born, of both humans and animals, belongs to me." In the temple was an elderly man named Simeon. The Lord had promised Simeon the privilege of seeing the Messiah before he died. We have no idea how long Simeon had waited for the Lord’s promise to happen. It could have been a few months, or it could have been Simeon’s whole life. Here is a record of Simeon’s encounter with the Christ child.

There was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, looking forward to Israel's consolation, and the Holy Spirit was on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he saw the Lord's Messiah. Guided by the Spirit, he entered the temple. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform for him what was customary under the law, Simeon took him up in his arms, praised God, and said,

Now, Master, you can dismiss your servant in peace, as you promised. For my eyes have seen your salvation. You have prepared it in the presence of all peoples—a light for revelation to the Gentiles and glory to your people Israel. (Luke 2:25-32 CSB)

From Luke’s record of Simeon’s encounter with the infant Jesus, we learn five things about him.

1. He was a righteous and devout man.

2. Holy Spirit had revealed that he would see the Lord’s Messiah before he died.

3. Holy Spirit led him to the temple exactly when Jesus was being dedicated.

4. He realized that Jesus came for both Jews and Gentiles.

5. After God fulfilled his promise, Simeon was ready for death.

We will never know why the Lord made this promise to Simeon. He was a righteous and devout man, but so were many others. For whatever reason, God promised Simeon that he would see the Messiah before he died. God kept that promise, and the Gospel writer Luke recorded it. This is a vivid example and reinforcement that God always keeps his promises—no matter how big (a Savior for the world) or small (seeing the Savior by one seemingly insignificant man)!

We can also learn two very important things for ourselves from Simeon’s encounter with Mary, Joseph, and the Christ child.

• We need to listen closely to and follow Holy Spirit’s guidance.
  If we don’t, we may miss out on God’s blessings. Think of what Simeon would have missed if he hadn’t listened to and followed Holy Spirit’s direction.

• When God prompts us to wait, we must wait!
  How long did Simeon wait? However long it was, we do know that he waited in anticipation.

A Challenge: As we end these posts on the Four Songs of Christmas from Luke’s Gospel, I want to challenge you with an action item. Each day during this week between Christmas and New Year’s Day, go to God in prayer and ask the following question: Lord, what do you want of me in 2025? Then listen!