Perseverance, Prophesy and Perception

A vicar was walking down the street when he saw a group of about a dozen boys, all of them between 10 and 12 years of age.

The group had surrounded a dog, and he was worried they were going to hurt it. "What are you doing with that dog?"

One of the boys replied, "This dog is just an old neighborhood stray. We all want him, but only one of us can take him home. So we've decided that whichever one of us can tell the biggest lie will get to keep the dog."

Of course, the reverend was taken aback. "You boys shouldn't be having a contest telling lies!" he exclaimed. He then launched into a ten minute sermon against lying, beginning, "Don't you boys know it's a sin to lie," and ending with, "Why, when I was your age, I never told a lie."

The vicar stopped and got his breath, then the smallest boy gave a deep sigh and said, "All right, give him the dog."

Today is Candlemas (which is traditionally held on the 2^nd February or closest Sunday) and is one of the twelve great feast days of the Christian calendar.  In the Eastern church, this festival is called the Hypapante, literally meaning The Meeting in Greek.

Although in some churches candles are lit, the Candlemas name really refers to the practice of the Priest blessing the candles for the year, on the day.  It is also the day that the Christmas greenery from the church is taken down and the nativity set is put away for another year.

In Robert Herrick’s poem “Ceremony on Candlemas Eve” he writes;

“Down with the rosemary and so,

Down wit the bays and mistletoe;

Down with the holly, ivy, all

Wherewith ye dress’d the Christmas Hall”

So that’s the tradition!  What about the readings?  Well…

The Gospel reading for the day describes the event 40 days after the birth of Jesus, and was to complete Mary’s purification after childbirth and to perform the ‘redemption of the firstborn’, in obedience to the Law of Moses in Leviticus and Exodus.

Mary and Joseph brought their son, and two turtle doves for the sacrifice (which is what the poor did), because they could not afford a lamb, to the temple.

There they met Simeon, whom God had promised that he “should not see death before he had seen the Messiah of the Lord." (Luke 2:26)

He then prayed the prayer that would become known as the Nunc Dimittis, or Canticle of Simeon, which was a prophesy of the redemption of the world by Jesus:

"Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace, according to Thy word, for mine eyes have seen Thy salvation, which Thou hast prepared before the face of all people, a light to enlighten the Gentiles, and the glory of Thy people Israel." (Luke 2:29-32).
Simeon then had a prophecy for Mary: "This child is set for the fall and rising again of many; and for a sign which shall be spoken against, and a sword shall pierce your own soul too—that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed" (Luke 2:34-35).
The elderly prophetess Anna was there too, to tell all present that the child would be responsible for the salvation of all.
I bet Mary said to Joseph “it’s like Christmas all over again!” as they are being told things about their baby.  Prophecies that have taken a lifetime to deliver, prophesies that are awesome and scary at the same time.  In the temple, surrounded by the trappings of their faith.  What a picture!
It’s a great picture – where we hear the account of the prophesies fulfilled in the temple.  But that isn’t where it ends.  In this triumph of love, this is where the work of the Kingdom starts, however  it doesn’t remain within the walls of the temple – it eventually takes to the streets – taking that reality of the prophesies fulfilled to the people – though the work of Jesus and his Disciples.
Today, however, the lesson is not from the actions of Jesus, or his Disciples, it is in the person of Simeon and his actions.
Firstly, he is a man of perseverance.  The Gospel tells us that

“It had been revealed to (Simeon) by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ”

As the years passed, it would have been easy for him to give up, but he didn’t.  The sense that we are playing the long game, is quite alien to our culture today.  People demand quick rewards, but persistence and perseverance are important attributes that the church needs today more than ever.  It is always worth the wait!
Secondly, Simeon had perception.  His time spent waiting meant he was able to see what was unfolding before him, he was close to God.  After all, the reading tells us that “moved by the Spirit” he entered the Temple Courts.  Perception comes from prayer and with that he walked closely with God. 
Not any particular prayer, not any particular way of praying, but the sense that we can throw all our uncertainties, our concerns and our confusions up in the air, and somehow, as they fall back down, God will have put them into some sort of order for us.
I believe that as he held the Messiah in his arms, the child for whom he had been waiting, he knew, he knew that God’s purpose had been fulfilled, and full of perception he said;

Lord now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace; according to thy word.  For mine own eyes have seen thy salvation….

Maybe not in the beautiful words of the Book of Common Prayer.
Thirdly, Simeon was a man of prophesy.    He not only recognised the Messiah, he recognised his role too;

Which thou hast prepared in the sight of all people, A light to reveal you to the nations and to be the glory of thy people Israel.

This ran counter to the Jewish expectations of the Messiah, but Simeon delivered his prophesy anyway.  The shocking prophesy that the Christ was to be the Glory of the Jewish people, but also a light to reveal God to the nations!  Gentiles too?!?  Yes Gentiles too, you and me.
In the tradition of the Old Testament Prophets, Simeon’s message was shocking and devastating.  Knowing this, he told them that he was well aware that this would be a problem for many, saying;

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 the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed”.

The Advent of the Messiah wasn’t going to be without difficulties for many. 
The end of the prophesy is not painless, as he turns to Mary, Mother of Jesus and says,
       “And a sword will pierce your own soul too”
Today, Candlemas, is the turning point from Christmas to Easter and we move from Incarnation to Atonement.  We, like Mary, are being prepared for the journey to the cross through Lent.
It is also half way between the winter solstice and spring equinox, half the winter is over (although you wouldn’t have thought that) and the days are getting lighter.  It is a day to change pace.
Finally, Simeon is, watching the Holy family leave the temple.  God has kept his word, and this man of Perseverence, perception, prophesy can rest.