On the eighth day He received the name the angel gave,

Jesus, spoken before conception, now carried into days.

When purification ended, they brought Him to the Lord,

The firstborn presented according to the written word.

Their offering was humble, two birds the law allowed,

And Simeon waited quietly among the temple crowd.

The Holy Ghost was on him, with a promise he believed:

He would not see death before the Lord's Christ was received.

Simeon came by Spirit when the parents crossed the court,

The promise in his lifetime had not failed or fallen short.

He took the child and blessed God, peace settling in his breath:

His eyes had seen salvation, and he could now face death.

Prepared before all peoples, no nation left outside,

A light to reach the Gentiles, Israel's glory at its side.

Joseph and Mary wondered at the words the old man said,

Then Simeon turned to Mary and spoke shadows up ahead.

A light to lighten Gentiles,

The glory of Israel,

Salvation held in aging arms

Where temple shadows fell.

A light before all peoples,

A promise now made plain,

Peace in Simeon's keeping,

Though a sword would come with pain.

This child was set for falling,

And for many rising too,

A sign opposed by many,

Revealing what hearts do.

A sword would pierce through Mary's soul,

The blessing carried cost,

The light would not be welcomed

By every heart it crossed.

Anna came that same hour, a prophetess grown old,

Widowed through long decades, yet faithful in the fold.

She thanked God when she saw Him and spoke to those who yearned

For redemption in Jerusalem, for promises returned.

A light to lighten Gentiles,

The glory of Israel,

Salvation held in aging arms

Where temple shadows fell.

Two faithful witnesses saw Him

Before the crowds would know:

The child prepared for all the world,

And redemption starting low.