February 5, 2025
A Light to Lighten the Gentiles - Part 3
Luke 2:27-32
02/05/2025
27 And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and
when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do
for him according to the custom of the Law,
28 he took him up in his arms and blessed God and
said,
29 ``Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in
peace, according to your word;
30 for my eyes have seen your salvation
31 that you have prepared in the presence of all
peoples,
32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for
glory to your people Israel.'' (ESV)
Jesus Christ is the Light of the world, a light no darkness
can overcome. Forty days after He was born, Simeon, a devout
believer in God, told this to Joseph and Mary as they went to the
Temple to offer the sacrifices according to the law given to
Moses.
And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the
parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him
according to the custom of the Law, he took him up in
his arms and blessed God and said, ``Lord, now you are
letting your servant depart in peace, according to your
word; for my eyes have seen your salvation that you
have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light
for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your
people Israel.''
Simeon confessed that he, a slave to God, was happy to be
released from his service on earth, for he had seen the Messiah,
the promised Redeemer of the world. This forty-day old baby in
the arms of His mother is not only the glory of Israel, but the
One who brings the light of God's love to all people.
There are many traditions concerning light on the fortieth
day after Christmas based on Simeon's words. The candles which
are used in the church are blessed this day, as are the voices of
those who proclaim the light of truth to the nations. This is
the source of Groundhogs Day, an acknowledgment of the light of
spring.
May our Lord enlighten us with the truth that Jesus Christ
is our hope and our salvation. Amen.