- Caroling Again
- No comments
Today’s devotional is from our Songs of Advent Devotional, written by members of CBC. This week’s devotional, Peace, was written by Mirella Cole.
Download the devotional and study guide (and share with someone) here- Songs of Advent
PEACE
LUKE 2:22-34
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.”
DEVOTIONAL
“Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.” Luke 2:29-32 Simeon had hoped for this day; prayed for this day; longed for this day. We’re told he was a righteous and devout man. In addition, “the Holy Spirit was upon him,” which was not a common occurrence prior to Pentecost. And yet, he waited. But, he trusted God to keep his promise that he would see the Messiah before passing from this earth. Following the Holy Spirit’s prompting, he goes to the temple and who does he see? Two new parents with an infant. He scoops the child up and proclaims the above, praising the Lord!
Leading up to this encounter, had he doubted what he heard from the Holy Spirit or perhaps thought he misunderstood the message? Had he wrestled with the question of, “When, Lord?” and become discouraged as time went by with seemingly no change and no hope? We all have likely experienced something that brought those kinds of questions and fears. Does he really mean that? Does he know what I’m going through? Does he know how long I’ve waited? Does he even care?
Yes, friend, he does. Our God is a God of hope, and of peace. In this passage, “peace” is translated from the Greek word, eiréné. It can also mean one, quietness, or rest, and echoes the sentiments of the Hebrew word, shalom, in the Old Testament – wholeness, safety, wellbeing, completeness. Upon laying his eyes on Jesus, Simeon experienced the wholeness for which he had longed. He had been, “waiting for the consolation of Israel,” and was indeed comforted when he met Jesus. He could rest in the Savior, knowing that he was cared for, looked after, and seen. God had fulfilled his promise to him, and now Simeon was at peace.
God desires for you to experience his peace as well. He is the only one who can satisfy our deepest desires for wholeness, completeness, and truest rest. May the Prince of Peace comfort you as you trust him and walk with him this Advent season, and always.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
- Some argue that peace is merely the absence of conflict. For you, it may be that blessed time when the kids are screaming and yelling. Or it could be the calm of the winter snow and the silence it brings in a chaotic world. What is peace to you?
- Simeon had longed to see this day. The fulfillment of hundreds of years of promise now before him in the form of a child. At that moment, he experienced peace because God was with him. That is the beauty of the Advent story; that God is with us! Do you struggle to remember and live like God is with you?
- Sickness, anxiety, loss, tragedy, and many other factors can hinder our experiences with the peace that Jesus brings. What prevents you from living in the peace and wholeness that He has for you?
- How would the world around you change if you began to live in the peace of Christ? Does this world need the peace that you possess?
- How can you be a better conduit of peace during this Advent season?