The opening act of creation was the calling forth of light to dispel darkness.  Ever since that holy, powerfully cataclysmic moment, God has been shining the light for His creation to follow.  God wants His creatures to follow the path leading to eternal life in the light with Him.  God knew we would lean toward the darkness.  He knew choices we would make would draw us deeper into the slow fade of light into darkness.  His plan from before the foundation of the world was to call us toward the light.  The LightMaker would send the Light of the World to light up the darkness dwellers. Jesus is that light.

The whole path of life since the beginning has been guided by the light.  The light of the flame guarding the closed entrance to Eden.  The light of the sacrificial altar fires of faith-filled Abraham.  The light of the burning bush illuminating the face of Moses.  The fire on Mt. Sinai as God spoke to Moses and gave him the Ten Words and the tabernacle blueprints.  The seven-branched golden lampstand in the tabernacle. The light of the glory of God in the Holy of Holies.  The fire by night leading the people through the wilderness years. The prophets called of God to shine a light on the sinfulness of the people throughout the generations of the nations of Israel and Judah. The darkness of four hundred years of silence between the Old and the New Testaments broken by the explosion of light of the the angels in Bethlehem.  The star in the sky.  The Star Maker, wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in the manger.

Better than Motel Six, God leaves a light on for you!!!  He always has and always will! 

On the 8th day of His life, Jesus was named and circumcized to fulfill the covenant of Abraham and the Law of Moses.  Thirty-three days later, Mary and Joseph went into Jerusalem to the temple to make their offering to the Lord as required in Leviticus 12.  They were redeeming her firstborn male (Jesus!) as holy to the Lord.  They were following the instructions for the purification of His mother, Mary (Exodus 13:1-2, Numbers 3:12-13).  This was a very important day for this little family.

A very interested observer was in the temple that day.  His name was “Simeon” which means, “I am listening with the intention of obedience!”  What we know about him is limited.  He lived in Jerusalem.  He was righteous which means just, right-wise, innocent.  He was devout which means recognizing the nearness, presence and the directives of God.  His complete life focus was caught up in looking, waiting, hoping with full expectation for the arrival of the consolation of Israel.  Simeon was filled with the Holy Spirit BEFORE Pentecost along with Mary the mother of Jesus, John the Baptizer and his mother Elizabeth and his father Zacharias (See Luke 1: 15, 35, 41, 67).  Simeon was waiting for The Messiah! 

The Holy Spirit had told Simeon that he would see the Messiah arrive in his lifetime.  This man was led by The Spirit into the temple at the exact time Mary and Joseph arrived with Jesus.  Simeon reached for Jesus and held Him in his arms.  Simeon began to sing praises to the Lord for Little Mister Consolation.  He sang in gratitude for God’s desire to shine the light to ALL peoples.  God was accomplishing His plan to reveal His glory to ALL men, not just Jews.

The Gospel of Luke is FILLED with songs!  Elizabeth sang.  Mary sang.  Zacharias sang.  Angels sang to shepherds.  Now, Simeon sings of the light and glory of the Lord.  Joseph and Mary stood in awe as this story continued to unfold in fulfillment of prophecy. Simeon sang a blessing and a prophetic warning.  Mary’s heart and soul would be pierced with a deep sorrow.  She would stand at the foot of the cross and watch her Son give His life.  Every wound He had would be a piercing.  The blood would flow so the LIGHT could shine through!!!