Do You Hear What I Hear?

My eyes have seen your salvation. You have prepared it in the presence of all peoples—a light for revelation to the Gentiles and glory to your people Israel. —Luke 2:30–32

Picture Simeon in the temple, standing where only Jews could enter. Gentiles, however, couldn’t venture beyond the court where their kind was allowed to mingle. Now gaze back up into the temple, beyond the first level. Here is where Jewish parents would bring their forty-day- old infant sons—far removed from the court of the Gentiles.

Somewhere in this bustle is where the Spirit alerted Simeon that the Messiah was right there, in that woman’s arms. And in beholding Him, Simeon not only dared to speak of salvation as God’s design for “all peoples,” but he mentioned the Gentiles first ahead of Israel.

The reason our jaws don’t drop is because we’ve had two thousand New Testament years of growing accustomed to it. The reason their jaws shouldn’t have dropped is because God had been dropping hints throughout the ages. But as you read Simeon’s words again, leave room for your own heart to expand now in grateful worship.

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The First Songs of Christmas: A 31-Day Advent Devotional: Meditations on Luke 1 & 2 ©2018 Revived Hearts Foundation

Scripture taken from The CSB