This Christmas season, I wanted to prepare by myself by imagining the lives, thoughts, and musings of some of the people in the Christmas story. Today's character is Simeon, and he appears in Luke 2.
Another sunrise for Simeon. Simeon had seen hundreds of sunrises in his 79 years. Built into the low-lying limestone cliffs that surrounded Jerusalem, his family home had an east facing door which Simeon swung open to greet the sun. Young Simeon and his father had baked mud bricks to form walls for the exposed sides of the structure. A wooden staircase led out of the home’s front door, turned at a 90-degree angle and ended up directly at the entrance to the busy Jerusalem market. It was in this market that Simeon sold the woven fabric that he created. Others called Simeon a Tarsim, or master weaver, but Simeon was simply providing for his family in the way that his father had provided, and his Zaydeh before that. Simeon’s hands seemed made for the loom, but lately, his weaving was slow, his hands stiff and sore. More and more, Simeon’s grandsons were taking his spot on the weaver’s stool, their deft and skilled hands providing products for the increasing market demand.
Today, as with all days, Simeon rose slowly like the sun that showed its first red rays through his door. He gathered the shuttle and began to rhythmically guide it through the weft; over, under, over, under, over, under. Such a familiar motion allowed his mind to ruminate. Was it all just a dream? Last night, as he lay on his mat, his wife breathing softly in sleep, a voice spoke to him.
“Simeon, though your hands grow tired on the distaff and your bones become weary from the work, you will not die until you see the Lord’s Messiah! He is here!”
Simeon’s heart beat wildly…the Lord’s promised Messiah! He was here? In Jerusalem? The prophet Micah proclaimed that the Lord’s anointed would be born in Bethlehem, “But you, O Bethlehem…, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.” Why would Messiah be in Jerusalem? Simeon, falling into fitful sleep, dreamt wild dreams of this grand warrior who would save his people from their oppressors. Now, awake and alert, he worked and wondered about the presence of the Messiah. Would he be at the temple? Did he possess a caravan to display his mighty power? As if to add emphasis to that thought, a powerful wind blew his door shut and raised goosebumps on the back of his neck. Feeling suddenly compelled, Simeon put down the shuttle, quickly grabbed his outer mantle, and, with unfamiliar vigor, made his way down the wooden staircase. As he stepped to the street, earlier than his normal mid-day appearance, he was nearly overrun by a noisy group of boys on their way to the synagogue for Torah school. Simeon was also headed to the synagogue, but not for school. Simeon was on his way to meet Messiah! Righteous and devout, Simeon regularly visited the temple to make sacrifices for his family and to listen to the traveling Rabbi’s teaching. But now, following the unruly group, his mind raced to the previous night’s mysterious words and passing the surprised boys, he entered into the outer court.
“He is here!” “He is here!”
Simeon’s mind could think of nothing else. He scanned the court, looking for an impressive figure, a kingly presence, but his eyes saw nothing but a poor young couple meekly entering the court carrying a baby. Suddenly, the Spirit within him spoke again,
“He is here! The baby they are dedicating today is Messiah!”
When he was just a boy, Simeon’s mother told him the meaning of his name: “God is listening.” God had graciously heard Simeon’s plea for the coming of the King--God’s chosen Messiah…but this baby… was him? Wasn’t Messiah the One who would be victorious and save the nation of Israel? This “warrior” was a helpless babe.
“He is here!”
Now it was Simeon’s turn to listen, and filled with the Spirit of God, he approached the little family exclaiming, “He is here--Messiah!” Motioning to them, he took the boy in his hands, and praised God saying,
“Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,
you may now dismiss your servant in peace.
For my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you have prepared in the sight of all nations:
a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and the glory of your people Israel.”
The child’s father and mother, weary and worn from travel, marveled at what was said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.” Tears of anticipated grief fell upon Mary’s scarf as she looked on her baby in Simeon’s embrace and wondered at the events which would surely take place. Simeon’s rough hand touched her cheek, and he carefully placed the infant in her arms. “God is here…and here,” pointing to the child. “My eyes have truly seen his glory.” Then Simeon left the family as he exited the temple courts.
Now, as he wandered through the now-busy market, he was struck by the Lord’s unceasing attentiveness to his people. God was listening, and the Master Weaver of history had used Simeon’s hands--his old and aching hands-- to show the beauty of His ancient plan! God had carefully ordained a rescue with an unexpected Rescuer, interwoven with the life of Simeon, to display his tapestry of grace toward man!
“He is here!” “He is here!”
Simeon could now die fulfilled. Today his eyes marveled at the sunrise. Today, his soul exulted in the Son. Today, his human hands held Heaven’s Rescue. Today Messiah had come!
“He is here!”
