When the Time Came” Luke 2:29-32
Luke writes, when the time came, Mary and Joseph took Jesus to the Temple.
Jesus had an appointment that only one man knew about. That man was Simeon. Simeon is a mysterious character, in that, we only know what Luke says about him. He is not found anywhere else in the Bible. His age and occupation are not made known. Nor do we know anything of his family heritage. What we know about Simeon, is what we see in Luke… a faithful man, with an expectation… a hope, in the temple having been led there by the Holy Spirit to this place at this particular time.
That scene in the Temple is an intimate time that we can share. A promise is fulfilled and the light of the world is recognized. That light is with us now as we start a New Year. A promise has been kept, hope is ours and purpose is given.
Question: What is the Nunc Dimittis?
Answer: Nunc Dimittis is the Latin name for the canticle of Simeon. In the gospel of Luke we are told that Simeon, who was a Jew, had been promised by the Holy Ghost that he would not die until he had seen Jesus. When Mary and Joseph brought the baby Jesus to the Temple in Jerusalem for the ceremony of consecration of the firstborn son, Simeon was there, and he took Jesus into his arms and said the words which are now known as the Nunc Dimittis. He was saying to God that he could now die happily because he had seen the Savior.
