Simeon's Salvation Song Series

Simeon’s name means “he who hears.” Let’s list what we know about him.

• He was righteous and devout in His relationship with God. He was not a phony like the Pharisees.

• He was waiting for the Messiah to come (that’s what “waiting for the consolation of Israel” means). Luke uses a Greek word of anticipation in verse 25 that means, “To be alert to His appearance, and ready to welcome Him.”

• He was a Spirit-filled and Spirit-led man.

Early every morning Simeon probably went to the Temple, watching and waiting for Immanuel to appear. He might have been doing this for years or even decades. I wonder if he was mocked by the religious people as they performed their perfunctory rituals.

How would he know Him? What should he look for? Each time a young couple came in with a baby, did he whisper, “Is this the one?” Suddenly Simeon’s heart leaps within him. The long days of waiting are finally over! Here is the One for whom the nation has been waiting. Verse 28: “Simeon took him in his arms and praised God…” We don’t even know if he introduced himself. He simply took Jesus and held Him. As Mary gives her infant to Simeon, the thought hits him, “I am holding the salvation of the world in my arms.”

At that precise point Simeon breaks out into a song of praise, called the Nunc Dimittis, the title being taken from the first two words of the Latin translation of this passage.

The Mood of the Music

The mood of the song begins like the jubilant music of a Jewish wedding but quickly becomes contemplative and ends with a note of extreme agony. I picture him with a huge grin on his face as he starts his salvation song: “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, 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.” Like the other Christmas composers we’ve looked at in this series, Simeon knew the Scripture because his refrain is filled with references to the Old Testament.

Simeon’s first thought is that he is now ready to die. The word “dismiss” refers to “the release of a prisoner; to untie a ship and set sail; to take down a tent.” It was also a military word, used to describe a sentinel who stood watch during the long hours of the night. He was especially tasked with finding the rising of a special star in the deep darkness. When he spots the star, he knows his work is done, and he goes to his commanding officer to be dismissed. Once dismissed, he goes back to his barracks to sleep. That’s the way Simeon feels. The long wait is over, the years of anticipation have been fulfilled, his sentry duty is finished, for he has seen and personally held “the Lord’s salvation” and now he’s ready to be dismissed.

This baby boy, if you will, had fulfilled Simeon’s bucket list and now he is ready to kick the bucket.