The Fifth Day in the Octave of Christmas
I’m captivated by Simeon in today’s Gospel. Luke tells us that Simeon was righteous, devout, Spirit-filled and Spirit-led. Simeon was hyper-alert to the presence of Christ. Let us pray today for that same level of receptivity to the Holy Spirit and to the presence of Christ in and around us. Today, may the salvation given to us through Christ become our worldview, influencing and guiding how we live our lives.
Simeon had been anticipating the coming of the Christ and his salvation. Simeon lived a life of active waiting, of hope, of anticipation. Simeon was a person of keen receptivity in the Holy Spirit. His spiritual radar was highly tuned. Imagine yourself as Simeon, recognizing Jesus the Christ for the very first time, as Mary and Joseph brought him into the temple! What joy, what awe, what exhilaration, what peace, what holy fear, what amazement, what relief must have been Simeon’s as he beheld his Savior, the Savior of the world! Because we, today, are so familiar with the story of salvation, we tend to take it for granted; at times we lose the awe and wonder. May we have the same sense of newfound awe and wonder that Simeon had that day in the temple, and may we communicate it with others.
Simeon operated in the Holy Spirit. Luke tells us, “the Holy Spirit was upon him.” God spoke to Simeon by the Holy Spirit, and Simeon heard, recognized, and received God’s words to him. Simeon “came in the Spirit into the temple . . .” We, too, can be this kind of Spirit-filled and Spirit-led people. This reality is not only for biblical characters or super-saints. The Spirit-filled life is ours, as well. I don’t know about you, but I want to be led by the Spirit moment-by-moment throughout each day! I want the Lord to guide me, directing my steps, showing me where to go, who to touch, what to say, where to see him at work. Today, let us pray for the graces that God gave Simeon to be hyper-alert and in tune with Christ’s presence. Let us ask for more of the Holy Spirit and let us practice being attentive and cooperative to the Spirit’s presence within us.
The Holy Spirit had told Simeon that he would not see death before he had seen the Christ. The implication of his encounter with the Christ child was that his life had found completion in its purpose and meaning. Simeon sings out, “Lord, now let your servant go in peace . . . my own eyes have seen the salvation which you prepared in the sight of every people, a light to reveal you to the nations . . .” As you and I experience the presence of Christ, evidence of our salvation, what are the implications for us? Every single day, you and I can say with veracity, “my own eyes have seen the salvation which you prepared in the sight of every people.” Today, as you see the salvation of God in all the many ways that it is present to you and within you, what will your song be? What are the practical implications for you? What will you be compelled to be and to do in your personal life? Simeon felt at peace to face his own death, having seen the salvation of God. Hopefully you and I know that same peace. Hopefully, also, we have a long life yet to live. What difference does salvation make in our daily lives? How might we live our lives differently today through the lens of our salvation? Living as “saved and sanctified” people goes hand-in-hand with walking in the Spirit as Simeon did. What better time to awaken to this reality of our existence than during the Christmas season! May it be so in each of our lives. Amen!
Elizabeth Wells
(formerly Wourms)