Be Born in Us Today

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Several weeks ago, I preached about Simeon and his role as a prophetic witness to Christ's presence in the world. In that sermon, I said this:

"Simeon is not a headliner in the story of Jesus's birth. Your children never played Simeon in the Christmas pageant. There's no blow-up ornament of Simeon on your front lawn. I'll bet that Simeon's not on your Christmas tree or in your nativity scene."

And in what I hoped would be a kind of mic-dropping moment, I said: "There are no Christmas songs about Simeon,"

Well, I was wrong.

As it turns out, there is a Christmas song about Simeon. Dr. Holquist, our consummate resident musician, shared with me a song that he sang back in 1964. Written by Peter Cornelius, the music is fittingly titled, "Simeon."

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Undoubtedly, what is lost in reading the lyrics is gained by hearing Bob sing it. Who among us would doubt that Bob could embody the Spirit and presence of Simeon?

As I revisit the Biblical figure of Simeon, I can't help but see that he was observant, attentive, and thankful. As ones who try to emulate these faithful characteristics in our own lives, it is unfortunate that individuals like Simeon get so little fanfare or attention. But Simeon proves that there's a reward for a life of persistent faithfulness and sensitivity to the Spirit—they see God.

Simeon recognized in the infant Jesus a Savior for all people. "A light of revelation" to a world dressed in shadow, Simeon proclaims that Jesus came to save.

I'm reminded of another saintly figure from our not-so-distant past. Corrie ten Boom had this to say about the saving nature of God's work in Jesus:

"If Jesus were born one thousand times in Bethlehem and not in me, then I would still be lost."

Whether we are a Simeon or a Corrie ten Boom, our song at Christmas remains the same:

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Yes, Lord. Be born in us today.