WITNESSES OF CHRIST'S BIRTH

 

This poignant painting by Ron  DiCianni depicts the moment of exquisite joy felt by Simeon, a man in Jerusalem ‘just and devout, waiting for the ‘Consolation of Israel’, to whom was revealed by the power of the Holy Ghost that ‘he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ’ (Luke 2:25,6). Simeon did indeed see Christ before his death being led by the spirit to be at the temple the same day that Mary and Joseph brought Jesus ‘to be presented to the Lord according to the custom’ (Luke 2:22,27). Simeon took the Saviour in his arms and rejoiced bearing witness of His divine birth and mission.

 

Simeon was not the only living witness of the divine birth. God raised up witnesses for Himself to meet all classes and conditions of people . There was also Anna, a prophetess who testified to all in the temple  (Luke 2:36-38); shepherds who testified to the poor and lowly that the hope of Israel was fulfilled (Luke 1:8-17); and the wise men of the East who were not afraid to enter the royal court testifying of the birth of the Messiah of the Jews to the contemptuous king and proud priests of Judea by asking one simple question (Matthew 2:2a/JST). Simeon’s testimony, however, was by far the greatest, after which he said something to Mary that must have seared her heart: "A sword shall pierce through thy own soul, that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed" (Luke 2:35). 

 

Simeon’s testimony to Mary of Christ’s death and Atonement was delivered through an unusual choice of words but yet the most poignant. Mary’s pain to see the suffering of her Son would be necessary so that the thoughts of our hearts will be revealed when Christ comes again in His glory and we stand before God to be judged of our earthly works. When that day comes, who we are will be in our hearts and that is all we will have to give Him. May we be overjoyed like Simeon because we have waited with eagerness for His appearing and may our hearts be imbued with faith and love to make them fit for an offering to the Lord of Lords and King of Kings.

 

 - CATHRYNE ALLEN

(Art: "Simeon's Moment by Ron DiCianni)