Stained glass jesse tree ornament simeon

And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. So he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law, he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said:
“Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace,
According to Your word;
For my eyes have seen Your salvation
Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples,
A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles,
And the glory of Your people Israel.”
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.”
—From Luke 2:25–35 (NKJV)

“Simeon saw, because the Holy Spirit revealed, that the treasures stored within Mary’s heart would one day spill like blood from pierced hands, feet, side.”

— The Joy of Advent

Reflection

Simeon’s Bucket List had only one entry—See the Messiah. Bucket lists have become increasingly popular and have been applied to just about every event or area of life: Retirement Bucket List, Travel Bucket List, Things to see in Denver Bucket List. We’re three days into the new year, and statistically many of us, if we made resolutions, have let at least one drop. Let’s resolve to make a spiritual bucket list. Are there faith-affirming books you’d like to read? A spiritual practice you want to adopt? Feast days you want to celebrate or share with your children? Today write them down and spend some time in thought and prayer asking God to provide you a way to see, do, accomplish them in the coming year or years.

Celebrate Together

Gather the family for today’s Celebration in our book, The Joy of Advent. Rejoice with Simeon in finding the extraordinary in the ordinary, explore the Jesse Tree symbol for today of Mary’s pierced heart, discover the history behind today’s carol, and enjoy a family conversation (or private journaling) about our true treasure.

Today’s Jesse Tree Symbol:
A **Pierced Heart** reminds us what Simeon foretells for Mary.

Inspiration

Adoration of the Infant Jesus

Matthias Stomer, 1600–1650. Greeting the Infant King after long years of waiting.

Music

Reflect as you enjoy Sussex Carol the question posed: “Why should we be sad when our Redeemer has made us glad?” [Watch Video]

Simeon’s Song is rich with meaning as we reflect on Simeon today. [Watch Video]

Prayer

“Ye children, praise the Lord: praise the name of the Lord” (Ps. 113:1). We praise thee, we sing hymns to thee, we bless thee for thy great glory, O Lord our King, the Father of Christ the immaculate Lamb, who taketh away the sin of the world. Praise becomes thee, hymns become thee, glory becomes thee, the God and Father, through the Son, in the most Holy Spirit, for ever and ever. Amen. “Now, Lord, 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 for the revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Thy people Israel.”

Orthodox vespers liturgy (c. 380): based on the Song of Simeon (Luke 2:29–32)

Resources

Enjoy a printable coloring page of Simeon with Jesus.
Would you like to make Jesse Tree ornaments to accompany your readings? Find tutorials and ideas from simple to advanced at our Jesse Tree Ornaments Pinterest board.

Recent Resources from Joy of Advent