Nunc Dimittis - Simeon's Song

Moscow school, ca. 1500 - Castle De Wijenburgh, Echteld, Netherlands

And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ.

So he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the law, he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said:

"Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace,
According to Your word,
For my eyes have seen your salvation
Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples,
A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles,
And the glory of Your people Israel."

And Joseph and his mother marveled at those things which were spoken of him. Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary his mother, "Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against (yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed."

- Luke 2:25-35

In yesterday's reading, we were told about Jesus' presentation in the temple, and the fulfillment of the precepts of the Law by his parents regarding the things that must be done for a newborn male child. Today's reading teaches us further about the events in the temple at Jerusalem.

So much of this story of the birth of Jesus teaches us about his life as the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets. Even as his parents are following the precepts of the Law and its customs, the Spirit is at work in those who are graced with the gift of prophecy. Simeon, we are told, is one of the faithful of Israel. He lives in Jerusalem, and has been "waiting for the Consolation of Israel." The Consolation of Israel is the joy of the deliverance that the Messiah is expected to bring to Israel. We are told that the Holy Spirit was upon Simeon. It was revealed to him by the Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Christ - the "Anointed One," or the Messiah. Simeon comes, we are told, "by the Spirit" into the temple.

Simeon takes the child in his arms, blesses God, and says the words we know as the "Canticle of Simeon" or the Nunc Dimittis (which are the first words of the prayer in Latin).

"Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace,
According to Your word,
For my eyes have seen your salvation
Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples,
A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles,
And the glory of Your people Israel."

This canticle is still sung daily at evening prayers in many branches of the Church. My study bible refers to it as "the contemporary confession and experience of all worshiping Christians. Christ is still the salvation God prepared for all peoples, the light of the Gentiles and the glory of Israel."

Simeon then reveals the destiny of Jesus - the Passion - to his mother: "Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against (yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed." My study bible notes that, according to tradition, Mary will suffer the sword of pain that she escaped in childbirth. Seeing her son on the cross, her soul will be pierced in grief. Simeon's prophecy is a tremendously significant prophecy about the Cross itself: that it will be foolishness to the Greeks, and a stumbling block to the Jews. He also gives what I think is a precise understanding of the spiritual function of these events of the Passion, and the great symbol of the Cross: it is a way to "reveal the thoughts of many hearts." Throughout Jesus' ministry, his very presence in the midst of the crowds and the people who are listening to him seems to function as a touchstone: we reveal ourselves by our response to Him. Certainly the Passion and the Cross are the very weight of that touchstone. The Cross continues today as the great symbol of Christ in our world, and the depth of spiritual paradox and mystery He brought to us in his incarnation as a man.

In this beginning of his life, the Child Jesus is already acting as a kind of touchstone: his very presence is enough to spark a response in Simeon, who has come to the temple via the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Simeon has had the revelation via Spirit of the profound spiritual reality of this child (and of his mother). So our story of the early days after the birth of this child, while he is yet still an infant, continue to fulfill the promise that Jesus will be the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets. In the poetic imagery of the gospels, and in this story, we have his parents faithfully following the precepts of the Law while the Spirit is yet at work via unexpected prophecy in Simeon's appearance. The gift of the Holy Spirit remains with us in Simeon's canticle or the Nunc Dimittis. These words have become a part of our daily services, and remain a confession of faith for all of us who profess a faith in Christ. While we associate the great acts of Spirit with Jesus' active ministry, I think it is important to take a good look at these early days of Jesus' infancy. In the gospel stories we find of these chronological events of his birth, we are told a history woven with the factual day-to-day duties of the fulfillment of the Law by the parents, alongside the mystery of the workings of the Spirit through the others who people this drama as figures awaiting the good news, and attending the child. We know that Mary, Jesus' mother, "treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart." Simeon serves as a figure for all of us faithful, who await the good news each day, and seek its consolation to us. Via his faithful patience, and his reception of the Spirit, he has given us his song of beauty, so that we can celebrate with him today. We're reminded that today we await the New Year (with a blue moon - a rare occasion). Let us hope for the manifestation in our lives of the effects of this Consolation, and share them with others in the new year.