After the Angels - Anna and Simeon

Merry Christmas Dear Reader,

Babies, especially new born babies draw attention.  Imagine for a moment being a young mother who has to make her way to Jerusalem for the dedication of her first born.  You are only eight days away from angels and shepherds heralding the birth of your Son.  You enter a crowded temple plaza carrying the five shackles required to redeem the child under the Law of Moses.

Around you are Temple Guards, Roman Soldiers, and others seeking atonement.  A widow named Anna who has spent eighty-four years awaiting the moment of the appearance of her Messiah.  She tells all around her that he has come to set them free.

There is also Simeon; a devoted Jew who lived and honest and honorable life.   The Holy Spirit had promised him that he would not die until he had seen the Messiah.  He approaches the young mother with her Son.  He takes the child in his arms and begins to sing.

After the angels and shepherds Mary sees to elderly prophets recognize and honor her Son, Jesus.  She is given yet more visible evidence that things are real.  There is no madness here but rather the continued reminder that God is with us.

It is what I need to do daily.  I need to see the reminders that God is with us.  I need to take him in my arms and sing.  I need to be constantly in the moment of Christ’s presence with me. 

Now That I’ve Held Him in my Arms – Michael Card

That old man in the temple

Waiting in the court

Waiting for the answer to a promise

And all at once he sees them

In the morning sunshine

A couple come and carry in a baby

Now that I've held Him in my arms

My life can come to an end

Let Your servant now depart in peace

Cause I've seen Your salvation

He's the Light of the Gentiles

And the glory of His people Israel

Marry and the baby come

And in her hand five shekels

The price to redeem her baby boy

The baby softly cooing

Nestled in her arms

Simeon takes the boy and starts to sing

Now that I've held Him in my arms

My life can come to an end

Let Your servant now depart in peace

'Cause I've seen Your salvation

He's the Light of the Gentiles

And the glory of His people, Israel

Now's the time to take Him in your arms

Your life will never come to an end

He's the only way that you'll find peace

He'll give you salvation cause

He's the Light of the Gentiles

And the glory of His people Israel

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Meditations In the Christmas Story – Still Later - Simeon

Merry Christmas Dear Reader,

When the devout observant Jewish family journeys to Jerusalem to dedicate their firstborn Son to God they are doing what every Jewish family is supposed to do with their firstborn.  Then they encounter Simeon.

He holds the boy and prays a blessing over him.  He reminds the family that they are holding God in their arms.  They remind the family of his destiny.  Simeon has waited and believed that the redeemer would come. 

Job said it in our earliest writings of the Old Testament.   The prophets foretold it.  Simeon sees it. 

We still wait.  The Messiah came and departed for a time.  I need to be like Simeon believing and looking. Anticipating and waiting with love and obedience.  As I settle down for my Christmas Eve meditations and ponderings before sleep claims me I want to assure that my heart is focused on Christ.

I have my cup and bowl.  I have my tree and decorations.  I am full from a rich Christmas Eve feast of goose and trimmings.   I am going to stare at the bubble lights and ponder all that Christ is and will be.   I will further my thinking on the next Advent when the King returns to make all things good.  Now that I have held him in my arms things are different eternally.  Merry Christmas, Dear Reader.  I love you more that you can possibly know.

Now that I’ve Held Him In My Arms – Michael Card

That old man in the temple

Waiting in the court

Waiting for the answer to a promise

And all at once he sees them

In the morning sunshine

A couple come and carry in a baby

Now that I've held Him in my arms

My life can now come to an end

Let Your servant now depart in peace

Cause I've seen Your salvation

He's the Light of the Gentiles

And the glory of His people Israel

Marry and the baby come

And in her hand five shekels

The price to redeem her baby boy

The baby softly cooing

Nestled in her arms

Simeon takes the boy and starts to sing

Now that I've held Him in my arms

My life can now come to an end

Let Your servant now depart in peace

Cause I've seen Your salvation

He's the Light of the Gentiles

And the glory of His people Israel

Now's the time to take Him in your arms

Your life will never come to an end

He's the only way that you'll find peace

He'll give you salvation cause

He's the Light of the Gentiles

And the glory of His people Israel

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)