Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, now you are letting your servant depart 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” Luke 2:28-32
Lord Jesus, tears in my eyes, and uncanny peace in my heart… I don’t want to die and have no sense that I will die soon, but I am grateful beyond measure for the assurance that, like Simeon, I will “depart in peace,” whenever you call me Home.
Jesus, with fitting humility and unfiltered joy, I affirm you to be the reason—the only reason I have “no guilt in life, and no fear in death”—a line from a favorite hymn I can hardly sing without choking up (“In Christ Alone”). I feel guilty, but I am not—because you took my guilt on the cross. I don’t feel good enough, and I am not—but you gave me your perfect righteousness (2Cor.5:21; 1Cor.1:30).
Laying aside your glory, laying in a manger, laying in Simeon’s arms, laying down your life on the cross, laying in a tomb for three days—no one could take your life from you, Jesus. This is what Christmas is all about… the King of Glory became the king in a crib—the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world—who has taken away my sin.
Jesus, I want to ramp up my “harking” this year—heeding and heralding the joyful announcement of the angels. “Hark!” The herald angels sing, “Glory to the new-born king.” Mild He lays His glory by; born that man no more may die—(born that we no more may die). Born to raise the sons of earth. Born to give them second birth—(not a second chance). Hark! The herald angels sing “Glory to the new-born king!” Hark indeed, and So Very Amen.