Maximizing the Meaning of ChristmasSample

“Ave Maria” reminds us that God is the global God. “Gloria in Excelsis Deo” emphasizes that Jesus is the peace giver for the entire earth. The third Christmas carol we can reflect on devotionally comes from the end of Luke 2. This one may not be as familiar to you: “Nunc Dimittis.”

“Nunc Dimittis” is the Song of Simeon. Simeon was a righteous and devout man. Luke 2:25-28 tells us:

“[Simeon was] 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. And he came in 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.”

In Simeon’s song, he says, “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace.” Or in the old version, “Now dismiss your bondservant.” Nunc dimittis. “Now dismiss your bondservant in peace, according to thy word.”

Luke 2:30-31 says:

“for my eyes have seen your salvation
that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and for glory to your people Israel."

The Most High God belongs to the whole earth, and His Son has come. His Son has come to give earth-wide peace to men with whom He is well pleased. This is the salvation of the nations—the light of revelation to the Gentiles.

Simeon assumes that the world is in darkness. And this Baby he holds in his hands is the light and the salvation for the nations. He is God’s rescuer.