“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.”
Luke 2:29-32
This Holy Spirit-inspired blessing poured forth from the mouth of Simeon as he held the infant Jesus in his arms. Mary and Joseph had come to the temple in Jerusalem for her post-birth purification rites and to dedicate their firstborn to God, both in accordance with Mosaic law (Leviticus 12; Exodus 13:2). God had revealed to the devout Simeon that he would live to see the Lord’s Messiah, who is described in Luke 2:25 by the Messianic title the consolation or comfort of Israel.
“Comfort, comfort my people, says your God.
Speak tenderly to Jerusalem,
and cry to her
that her warfare is ended,
that her iniquity is pardoned,
that she has received from the LORD’S hand
double for all her sins.
And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed,
and all flesh shall see it together,
for the mouth of the LORD has spoken.”
Isaiah 40:1-2,5
An Essential Part of the Christmas Story
This episode is an essential element in the Christmas story because it connects the birth of Jesus to both His coming ministry in Galilee and Judea, and God’s heart for the nations beyond Israel. Simeon’s prophetic words are soaked in the language of the prophet Isaiah.
[The LORD] says:
“It is too light a thing that you should be my servant
to raise up the tribes of Jacob
and to bring back the preserved of Israel;
I will make you as a light for the nations,
that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.”
Isaiah 49:6
It is difficult to miss the global focus of Isaiah’s prophecy. Yes, the Messiah is coming to redeem His people, but He is also coming as a light to the nations, bringing salvation to the ends of the earth. This is the international heart of Christmas.
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Another Witness to Christ’s Mission
Simeon continues to prophesy to Mary and Joseph that “this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.” Jesus will face opposition, reveal what is hidden, and His death will break Mary’s heart.
While he is speaking, Anna, a prophetess who lived in the temple, arrives at the scene of Simeon’s prophecy and begins to give thanks for the Messiah’s birth. The text also tells us that she began to “speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem,” fulfilling the words of Isaiah 52.
“Break forth together into singing,
you waste places of Jerusalem,
for the LORD has comforted his people;
he has redeemed Jerusalem.”
Isaiah 52:9
First, the shepherds gave witness to the birth of Jesus; now Anna adds her voice to those who cannot help but proclaim Christ’s arrival.
More Than a Birthday Story
As we celebrate Christmas this year, it helps to complete the story of Christ’s birth by considering the prophetic words of Simeon and Anna. Jesus has been born to a mission, a mission that will bring good news to His people and that will propel the Gospel to the ends of the earth.
Join us in sending the Gospel to the ends of the earth. Your church can give Bibles to those who need them most through our online missions gift catalog.
