Simeon took Jesus in his arms and praised God, saying: “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, now you are letting your servant depart 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” Luke 2:28-32
Lord Jesus, with tears in my eyes, gratitude in my bones, peace in my heart—I am thankful beyond measure for the assurance that, like Simeon, I will “depart in peace,” whenever you call me Home. You are the only reason any of us live with “no guilt in life, and no fear in death.”
I feel guilty, but I am not—because you took my guilt on the cross. I don’t feel good enough, and I’m not—but you have clothed me in your perfect righteousness (2Cor.5:21; 1Cor.1:30). I still have doubts, but you do not. Your banner over us is love, your grace for us is measureless, and your grasp of us is eternal.
You laid aside your glory, laid peacefully in a manger, were laid in Simeon’s arms, laid down your life on the cross, laid in a tomb dead for three days—there is no greater mystery, no greater love, no greater reason to adore you. This is the Gospel. This is what Christmas is all about. This is the meaning of life—why, like Simeon, we can live with peace and die in peace—why we can trust you with our current crucibles and our unfinished stories, our regrets from the past and fears about the future. Hallelujah, Jesus, and So Very Amen.