Today is December 19th in the 3rd week of Advent.

Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love.  
 
Take a moment and quiet yourself. Take a deep breath. Welcome God’s presence, and say Come Holy Spirit.  
 
Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Luke, chapter 2.  
 

“When the time came for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord”), and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: “a pair of doves or two young pigeons.” 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. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and 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.” The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “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.” 
 
 
Simeon, scripture tells us, had been waiting his whole life ‘for the consolation of Israel’. To be consoled means to be comforted in grief. We might think of the Greek word paraclete – the word we use to describe the Holy Spirit. Paraclete literally means ‘one called alongside’. Or comforter. Israel was waiting, as was Simeon, for that comfort that only a savior would bring. In what ways are you waiting for the comfort of Christ today? In what ways do you see the world longing? 
 
Somehow – Simeon recognizes that the Christ child was God, come alongside of humanity. Luke tells us that “Simeon took Jesus into his arms and praised God”. Take time to prayerfully imagine this scene: they’re at the temple courts, fulfilling the standard duty of all Jewish parents to consecrate their child to the Lord. All of a sudden, and old man comes toward them. I imagine tears in his eyes. I imagine his praise coming out like a hushed and holy whisper. I imagine Simeon, holding the Christ child close, maybe resting forehead to forehead, feeling some sort of unexplainable relief: GOD IS WITH US. 
 
Take time now in personal prayer and imagine this scene. What is the Lord drawing your attention to? 

Our world remains desperate for consolation. We have in Christ the coming of the kingdom of God, and yet… we remain in between the now and the not yet of the kingdom. Intercede now for those who are desperate for consolation. Pray that the holy spirit – would draw near to those who live in shadows, that they might know the light of Christ.  This is how I pray: God of all comfort, please come alongside the brokenhearted, and rescue those who are crushed in spirit. And make me not only watchful and prayerful, but also faithful in my call to be your body in this world. 
 

Come, thou long expected Jesus, 
born to set thy people free; 
from our fears and sins release us, 
let us find our rest in thee. 

Behold, the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it… 

In the name of the Father, and the son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.