By Claudia Mair Burney
Saturday, the first week of Advent

This story is often overlooked in the Christmas narrative, but its importance can’t be underestimated. Simeon was a just man who listened to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. God had promised this old, faithful servant would never see death until the Messiah was revealed. I’m certain the Mary and Joseph didn’t announce, “Hey, this is Him. He’s the One. You don’t even have to bless Him like these other babies. No, they arrived and did what all Jewish parents did. But there was something about the life and faith of Simeon that prepared Him for the special revelation he received. God rewarded him for His fidelity. When he took a child who looked so very ordinary in His arms, the Child revealed Who He was. Imagine what will happen in our lives when we live right and embrace Jesus.