On the eighth day of Jesus’ human life, Mary and Joseph took Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord, and to circumcise Him, according to the Law of Moses.

When Mary and Joseph arrived at the temple, they encountered a man called Simeon. Simeon was also a seeker, and he had been moved by the Holy Spirit to go to the temple that same day. For years, he had been awaiting the Messiah and the comfort that Israel would know in receiving its Savior. God had promised Simeon that he would not die until he had “seen the Lord’s Christ.” Luke 2: 26.

Here’s what happened, after Mary and Joseph arrived with the baby, Jesus:

“When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for Him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took Jesus in his arms and praised God, saying: ‘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.’ The Child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about Jesus.” Luke 2: 27-32

Simeon’s heart must have been overflowing with gratitude and wonder that day, as he held the Savior in his arms.

Thank you, dearest Father, for the gift of salvation. Help us to believe like Simeon, and to never lose our sense of both wonder and gratitude for this precious gift that You have given to us.

Note: Dutch painter and printmaker Rembrandt van Rijn completed the oil painting featured above and titled “Simeon’s Song of Praise” in 1631. The painting hangs in the Mauritshuis Museum in The Hague, Netherlands.