Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too” (Luke 2:34,35).

I remember when Mary’s part in the Christmas story came alive to me: I was halfway through my first pregnancy with my own baby boy, and that entire season my thoughts were of what Mary’s feelings must have been all those years ago. Anticipation and excitement certainly, but did she truly grasp the sorrow coming her way? I daresay she did not, as most new parents can’t fully understand what bringing a new life into the world does to one’s heart until the baby arrives. How many times was that magnified for Mary?

Our text from Luke 2 occurs more than a month after Jesus’ birth, and I think it would have been an exciting day for Mary and Joseph. They had gathered their offerings, bundled their baby boy, and set off for the Temple: forty days post birth meant the completion of Mary’s ritual purification and the redemption of their firstborn son. It was an unexpected surprise to encounter Simeon. Simeon had been waiting, but he didn’t know that day would be THE day. He listened when the Spirit urged him to be at the Temple, even not knowing who exactly to look for. I can only imagine the joy when he laid eyes on baby Jesus! Simeon offered the babe and new parents blessings, and he followed it with, “And a sword will pierce your own soul, too” (v 35).

How was that to be interpreted by the brand-new parents of the most important baby boy in all of history? I can imagine there was joy at their son’s birth and at the blessings being bestowed upon him, followed by sadness and confusion at the foreboding words from Simeon in the Temple.

O Come, O Come Emmanuel has a somber tenor; its words are both joyful and sorrowful, as were Simeon’s words to Mary and Joseph. The carol is one of my favorites, because it represents real life and the interlacing of melancholy and joy throughout our earthly days. 

O come, O come, Emmanuel,

And ransom captive Israel,

That mourns in lonely exile here,

Until the Son of God appear.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel

Shall come to thee, O Israel.

Israel waited in captivity for their Savior. How fortunate are we that He is already here! He has been all along: ready to rescue and to shoulder the burden of our hurts. 

He sees us in our pain and struggles, and He’s always with us. His name is Jesus, and He is “God with us.” Hope in dark times, hope in affliction, hope where there is none. Rejoice!

God, thank you for the hope of Christmas! Be near us as we navigate the ups and downs of daily life, and help us remember you are always near, no matter our circumstance. Amen.