Day Four

“Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him” (Lk. 2:25)

Joseph woke up to the familiar sound of the bird nestled in their window. It was his early morning call to prayer. Today’s prayer was longer. They had the  baby Jesus to dedicate in Jerusalem according to the Law of Moses. He was Mary’s first born, and being a boy, the law required that He be dedicated to the Lord. Exhausted from the festivities of the previous night, Joseph left Mary to sleep while he prepared for their journey.
Two days into the journey, Mary said,

“Joseph, did you pack the gift for the High Priest”?

“Oh no! I forgot all about it.”

You know men will always be men. We do our best helping around the house, but we never get it right completely. The woman must always go back for a final check, regardless of the husband’s assurances. By the time they made it back from Nazareth to Jerusalem, the sun was setting on the ninth day. They had lost four days by returning to retrieve the gift for the high Priest.
Daybreak was most welcome to Mary. The family got together for prayer, thanking Jehovah for His gracious gift in their baby. They knew so much that others didn’t know and, yet they could not talk about it.
Somewhere on the other side of town was an old man called Simeon. Talk about a man with a good heart and devotion to The Lord, Simeon was exemplary. He keenly followed the teachings of the prophets concerning the coming Messiah and lived in anticipation of it. In accordance with his heart’s desire, the Holy Spirit gave him the assurance that he would see the Messiah before he dies.
On this dry morning, old man Simeon sensed a special leading of the Holy Spirit to go to the temple. He dragged the old and wearied body into the temple courts, not knowing what to expect.

“Shalom, Anna” Joseph said. “What brings you here today?”

“Simeon, you’re getting old! Since when did I miss my duties here in the temple since Malachi passed on?”

They laughed and went up the stairs into the temple courts – the old devout Simeon and the very old prophetess Anna, both led by the Holy Spirit.
The High Priest was not particularly interested in the dedication of the carpenter’s son from Nazareth. After all, what good could anybody expect from Nazareth? A young priest got the responsibility of a life time he didn’t know about. The High Priest’s snub had given him the unequaled opportunity to dedicate the Messiah. Doesn’t it happen in our lives every day?
Mary’s face glowed at the sight of her baby in the young priest’s hands. The Holy Spirit’s presence was evident. God incarnate, now a baby in the hands of a priest to be dedicated? What irony and an unforgettable spectacle! Tears of joy rolled down her cheeks, and a heavenly brightness beamed in her face as the baby was raised to the Lord.
“Congratulations,” the priest said, handing the baby to Mary.

“Not so fast, young man,” old Simeon said, stepping forward for the baby.

Taking baby Jesus in his arms, he praised God saying, “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,
you may now dismiss your servant 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.”
Mary and Joseph were stunned, but Simeon turned to them and said,

“This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too”.

With a smile on his face and joy in his heart, the old man made his exit out of the temple. He knew it was his last day in the beautiful Temple and his last steps out of it.

At that very moment, Anna came up and thanked God and testified to all about the child’s redemptive assignment for Israel. Joseph squeezed Mary’s hand and smiled at her.
They sang along as they journeyed back north to Nazareth, rejoicing at the day’s events. God has an exhaustible bag of surprises for his children.

In the middle of their journey, Joseph stopped the caravan abruptly. Three days ago, they had turned back to Nazareth for the High Priest’s gift. Joseph held something in his hand and said,

“Darling, did you forget the gift for the High Priest? Should we go back for the presentation?”

“You sneaky old man!” Mary said.

They locked eyes for a moment and burst into a hearty laughter as they made their way towards Nazareth.

God keeps His promises, dear reader. Never forget that.