Luke 2:25-27
Waiting for the consolation
Three things are said about him before he speaks: just, devout, and waiting. The Holy Ghost was upon him, and he came by the Spirit into the temple on exactly the right day.
People of the Bible
Simeon
Was promised he would not die before he had seen it, and spent the rest of his life going to the temple.
Simeon is just and devout and waiting for the consolation of Israel, and it had been revealed to him that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. He comes by the Spirit into the temple on the day a poor couple arrive to do what the law required, with two turtledoves rather than a lamb because that is what they can afford. He takes the child up in his arms, and the first thing he says is that he is ready to go.
Scroll down to the storyThe movements, in the order the text gives them.
The story of Simeon
- 01
- 02
Luke 2:28-32
Now let your servant depart in peace
He takes the child in his arms and asks to be released. Mine eyes have seen your salvation, prepared before the face of all people, a light to the Gentiles and the glory of Israel.
- 03
Luke 2:33-35
Set for the fall and rising of many
The parents marvel. He blesses them and then turns to Mary alone, and the blessing turns into a warning about division, about a sign spoken against, and about a sword.
Why it matters
His song is thirty-two words and it is the only place in the nativity where the nations are put first: a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel. Then he blesses the parents and says something to the mother alone that nobody would want to hear on that day, about a child set for the fall and rising again of many, a sign spoken against, and a sword through her own soul.
4 songs
The music
Every song in the catalogue whose passage falls inside these chapters.
