Day 5 – When Simeon Held Him

Amid the crowds in the temple courts of Jerusalem, an old man waited in quiet faith. His name was Simeon. Scripture describes him as “righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.” (Luke 2:25 ESV)

He had been promised that he would not die before seeing the Messiah. Each day he came to the temple, holding onto hope that perhaps today would be the day.

When Mary and Joseph entered with the baby Jesus to present Him to the Lord, the Spirit led Simeon to them. Taking the child in his arms, he lifted his eyes to heaven and said,

“Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation.” (Luke 2:29–30 ESV)

In that moment, a lifetime of waiting was fulfilled.

Simeon didn’t see miracles or hear sermons. He simply held a baby—but that child was the fulfillment of every divine promise. Advent teaches us to wait in faith even when the result is unseen. Faith looks beyond circumstances and rests in God’s faithfulness.

Psalm 27:4 (ESV) expresses the same longing:

“One thing have I asked of the Lord that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.”

Simeon’s heart was shaped by that desire—he didn’t crave quick answers, but communion with the God who keeps His word.

Psalm 73:25–26 (ESV) declares, “Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you- God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” That was Simeon’s song—his treasure was not long life or the temple itself, but the Savior he now held.

Simeon declared that Jesus would be “a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.” (Luke 2:32 ESV) The gospel’s reach would be universal. What Simeon saw dimly, we now see clearly: the Light of the world has come.

Hebrews 11:13–16 (ESV) describes the faithful who “died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar.” Simeon became the first to hold the promise made flesh.

Jesus later told His disciples, “Let not your hearts be troubled - In my Father’s house are many rooms I go to prepare a place for you.” (John 14:1–3 ESV)

Like Simeon, we can live and die in peace, knowing that the best is yet to come.

John Piper wrote, “Christian hope is not the expectation of changed circumstances, but the assurance of Christ’s presence in them.” Simeon didn’t need more years; he had seen the Lord. In Christ, our future is secure.

Advent calls us to that same peace. We live between the first and second coming, holding by faith what Simeon once held in his hands. Our peace does not depend on what we understand, but on whom we have encountered.

Practical Reflection:

• Where does your hope rest when God seems to delay?
• Do you seek peace in your circumstances or in Christ’s presence?
• Pray:

“Lord, my eyes have seen Your salvation. Teach me to wait with joy and to live in peace until I see You face to face.”