December 21, 2008: A Light and A Sword – Michael Hidalgo

Let’s be honest. This is a little bit of a dark prayer. If one were to paraphrase Simeon they might say, “I can die now.” Why would Simeon say this to God? Yet Simeon knew that salvation had come to the world through this little infant that he was holding in his arms. In that moment Simeon rejoiced and thanked God for allowing him to see the child. Simeon understood that this blessing was not just for Israel, but that he would be a light to the Gentiles to. Maybe this is why he is destined to cause the rising and falling of many in Israel. 

All of this came to a man who was waiting, a man who had been told that he would see the salvation of Israel. Imagine the expectation that Simeon had each day believing that salvation was coming. Are we people who are living with that kind of hope? That kind of expectation? What are we waiting for that will bring us peace?