Opening Prayer
Lord, remember us in youth and age and give us a blessed end. Amen.
Text: Luke 2:33-40
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.” Now there was one, Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity; and this woman was a widow of about eighty-four years, who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. And coming in that instant she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem. So when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth. And the Child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him.
Devotion
“The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree, He shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. Those who are planted in the house of the Lord Shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bear fruit in old age; They shall be fresh and flourishing, To declare that the Lord is upright; He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him” (Psa 92:12-15). These words from the psalm we see confirmed in our Gospel. “The silver-haired head is a crown of glory, if it is found in the way of righteousness,” says Solomon (Pro 16:31). Age brings many weaknesses and many problems with it. In Ecclesiastes 12:3 this is described in colorful words: “The keepers of the house tremble,” meaning the arms and hands; “and the strong men bow down,” that is, the legs; “the grinders cease because they are few,” namely the teeth; “and those that look through the windows grow dim,” eyes and ears. So the different parts of the body and so the gifts of the soul. Everything gets weak and sluggish, until “the silver cord is loosed, or the golden bowl is broken, or the pitcher shattered at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the well” – physical and spiritual abilities cease – “then the dust will return to the earth as it was, and the spirit will return to God who gave it” (Ecc 12:6-7).
But old people such as Simeon and Anna are fortunate. Jesus’ life in them does not age. Let us be like them, whether we live a long time or a short time, and let us be like them at the end! The Spirit opened Simeon’s eyes so that he sees the Savior in this Child. Anna means “grace,” and Phanuel means “the face of God.” She is always in the Temple and serves God. This is the beginning of heavenly blessedness. The same grace is open to us. Jesus is here and wants to be known and embraced by our hearts in faith. He saves from all sin and gives the soul peace and joy. “He forgives all your iniquities, He heals all your diseases; He redeems your life from destruction, He crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, He satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s” (Psa 103:3-5).
You know where you will find Him. He is where He has promised to be. No one who sincerely seeks Him there seeks Him in vain. Even in our degenerate days we know old men who have Simeon’s words in their heart: “Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, according to Your word; for my eyes have seen Your salvation” (Luk 2:29-30), and old women who even in death have the joyful tongue of Anna, the daughter of Phanuel.
Closing Prayer
Lord Jesus, thanks for the life You gave us that never grows old and dies. Give both young and old Simeon’s childlike faith and Anna’s God-fearing heart. Grant us at last to depart in peace and die a blessed death in You. Amen.
Hymn
When I have fought that one good fight
And walked in faith untiring
Until there comes the darkest night,
How sweet then is my dying!
How blest are they who serve the Lord
And faithfully obey His Word,
In peace is their departing!
O Simeon, hero of the faith,
Blest thousand times your fortune,
Yes, ev’ry hour you filled your life
With holiest adornment;
Your walk was heav’nward all the way
Until you were so old and gray,
And served God in your living.
Your treasure was our Savior dear,
Your strength you used forever;
To serve the Lord with blessed cheer
You strove with gladness ever.
You passed by ev’ry worldly joy
And traveled on the narrow way
To pleasures sweet and blessed.
Brorson: Et helligt Liv L 161:4-6 tr. DeGarmeaux;
tune: Es ist das Heil (ELH 241); alternate hymn: In peace and joy I now depart ELH 48