I have wanted to write something about Simeon for a very long time. Although he is not featured in many nativity scenes, I wanted to explore why Simeon is important in the nativity. This year, while listening to an amazing talk by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland about Simeon, I decided I was ready to dig in.
Included below is the Christmas ministering message, a printable, and a cute Christmas ornament idea that goes with the message.
Why Simeon is Important in the Nativity
Christmas is a time of joy. You can feel it in the Christmas carols and decorations. Family traditions and memories take on a special glow. We anticipate good things and take extra delight in service.
But not every Christmas feels joyful. And our sorrow is particularly painful in contrast to the joyous season. When a Christmas is marred by death, tragedy, need, or even inconvenience, it can feel terribly unfair. You might ask yourself, “Why must I suffer while everybody else is so happy?” And for those who experience a traumatic event around Christmas, it can feel like their joy will be forever tainted by the memory.
In these moments, remember that Christmas is not joyful because there is no sorrow. It is joyful because Christ saves us from sorrow.
Simeon’s Salvation
In Luke’s account of Christ’s birth, it is Simeon who teaches us this lesson in a couple of very special ways. While angels joyfully sing, shepherds spread the good news, and wise men bring gifts, it is Simeon who reminds us why we need Christmas.
Simeon, a devout and faithful man, was promised by the Holy Spirit that he would see the Messiah before his death. Led by the Spirit, Simeon arrived at the temple just as Mary and Joseph brought the infant Jesus. Recognizing Him as the Messiah, Simeon takes the child into his arms and declares that he is ready to “depart in peace” (Luke 2:29).
Depart in Peace
The juxtaposition of the birth of Christ and Simeon’s acceptance of death teaches us an important lesson about Christ’s coming. Simeon shares:
“For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.” (Luke 2:30-32)
Simeon does not fear death because he holds his salvation in his arms. He holds the Messiah who would take away the sting of death and give us victory over the grave (1 Cor. 15:55). Simeon sees his salvation and the salvation of all people.
It is interesting to note that at this early hour of Christ’s life, Simeon also sees what many of Christ’s apostles later struggle to understand. Christ’s salvation is for all everyone, both Jew and Gentile. There is no limit to who can be saved.
It is no wonder that Luke introduces Simeon as one who is “waiting for the consolation of Israel” (Luke 2:25). Simeon teaches us that the joy of Christ’s birth becomes sweeter when we understand the physical and spiritual death He saves us from. Like Simeon, we can find comfort in knowing that He who conquers death and sin holds us in His arms.
Mary’s Blessing
Simeon not only blesses Jesus, he also leaves a blessing for Mary. But it is not the blessing we would expect. It is not the angels’ song of “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” It is a blessing that braces Mary for the hard realities of Christ’s ministry and the division that would result from His message.
“Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against; (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” Luke 2:34-35
When reading the Christmas story, we often skip over the blessing. It feels out of place in such a happy moment. But in reality, the blessing can serve as a balm when our own souls are pierced. The birth of the Messiah brings a hard-earned joy that can only be fully appreciated when Christ reaches deep into our suffering and pulls us up into the light.
There is a lot to learn as we take our time reading through the blessing, so let’s take a look at the different pieces.
Fall and Rise
During His ministry, Jesus would challenge the status quo and shake up the social order. The exalted would be abased and the humble would be exalted. For the proud and self-righteous, particularly some religious leaders, Jesus’ message would lead to a “fall” as their hypocrisy and sins are exposed (Matthew 23:12).
For the humble and repentant, Jesus brings “rising ” with mighty miracles and a promise of kingdoms in heaven. This is very clearly illustrated in the Sermon on the Mount when Christ teaches us that He blesses the poor in spirit, comforts those who mourn, and exalts the meek (Matthew 5:3–6).
The imagery of rising is also fulfilled in a number of other ways. First, Christ rises as He is lifted up on the cross. Then, because He is risen from the tomb, we all will rise from the grave, both the righteous and the wicked. And because of Christ’s intercession for men, we will be lifted up into the presence of God to be judged.
And in the words of Moroni:
“And blessed is he that is found faithful unto my name at the last day, for he shall be lifted up to dwell in the kingdom prepared for him from the foundation of the world.” (Ether 4:19)
The Savior’s Atonement will indeed lead to the fall and rise of many. But this is not just confined to those living during His time. For those who mourn on Christmas, Christ will bless you, comfort you, and lift you up.
The Thoughts of Our Hearts
Christ’s birth was the sign of a new law and covenant. Through Christ’s Atonement, we can overcome death and sin, and return to live with our Heavenly Father. But this sign would “be spoken against” by those who would not accept Christ or His message.
How we respond to Christ’s message will reveal what is truly in our hearts. Christ’s ministry wouldn’t only be miracles, food, and idyllic sermons along the seashore. His teachings force us to confront our own pride, biases, and weaknesses. The coming of Christ would challenge the superficial observances of the law and require a broken heart.
Simeon reminds us that joy does not come from superficial discipleship. The true thoughts of our hearts will be revealed as we either accept or reject the Savior.
Pierce Through Thy Own Soul
In the middle of these verses there is an interesting parenthetical about Mary, “Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also.” To understand what Simeon is talking about, it is helpful to see this as a parenthetical rather than a continuation of the main thought. In other Bible translations, this is often moved to the end of the verse. Looking closely at the verses, it is not the piercing of Mary’s soul that will reveal the hearts of others, but the acceptance or rejection of the sign (Christ).
We also get additional help from the Joseph Smith Translation.
“Yea, a spear shall pierce through him to the wounding of thine own soul also; that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” (Joseph Smith Translation, Luke 2:35)
Simeon prophecies that a spear would pierce Jesus and in the process wound Mary’s soul as well. This prophecy is later fulfilled after Christ’s crucifixion, when “one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water” (John 19:34).
The imagery is beautiful and poignant. As Mary stands at the cross to witness the crucifixion of her Son, she will also feel some of His pain. Although she is the mother of the King of Kings, Mary’s life would be filled with poverty, threats, and the heavy weight of her Son’s cross. The coming of Christ brings salvation, but there will be plenty of pain and sorrow in the process.
True Christmas Joy
However, Simeon would remind us that we cannot fully rejoice in our salvation without experiencing what we have been saved from. Christmas is not the celebration of a hero who saved us from nothing, it is the celebration of the Messiah who saves us from every sin, illness, weakness, and sorrow that besets us.
Jeffrey R. Holland shares:
“The true meaning, the unique, joyous meaning of the birth of this baby was not confined to those first hours in Bethlehem but would be realized in the life He would lead and in His death, in His triumphant atoning sacrifice (remember why Joseph and Mary were in the temple) and in His prison-bursting Resurrection. These are the realities that make Christmas joyful.”
When our souls are pierced, Christ comes to comfort those who mourn and bring light to those in darkness. Rather than allow the joy of Christmas to bring you sorrow, seize upon the joy of Christmas to lift you from sorrow. Like Simeon, we can wait with faith for the consolation of Israel.
“Why Simeon is Important in the Nativity” Christmas Ministering Printable
Download “Why Simeon is Important in the Nativity” Christmas Ministering Printable (4×6)
You can print these printables as 4×6 photo prints. My local drug store prints them for just pennies. Artwork – Simeon and Jesus in the Temple – Rembrandt van Rijn
“Why Simeon is Important in the Nativity” Christmas Ornaments
I have been very excited to add a Simeon ornament to my “Nativi-tree.” Every year I add an ornament to the tree that represents something I have learned about Christmas that year. The tree is also decorated with nativities and many of the different names of Christ.
It is very hard to find a Simeon ornament, so I decided to use a lantern instead. When Simeon blesses Jesus, he prophesies that He would be “a light to lighten the Gentiles.” When our Christmas feels dark, the lantern is a vivid reminder of the light Christ brings.
I got these cute little lanterns from Dollar Tree. They come unfinished, so I stained them with Watco Dark Walnut Stain. Unfortunately, some of the glue used to assemble the lanterns was left in the crevices. This made it so the stain would do absorb into the wood.
I could have tried to sand it down. But it was easier to go in and cover the glue spots with black paint . By blending the paint in with the stain, it also gave the lanterns an antique look. The lanterns are not always easy to find, so these lanterns from Amazon would also work well in a pinch.
Did you like this December’s “Why Simeon is Important in the Nativity” Christmas Ministering Message? Find more Relief Society Ministering Printables for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
These ministering printables are a great way to help families incorporate the “Come, Follow Me” lessons into their own study. They are also perfect for Young Women’s, Relief Society, Sunday School, or Family Home Evening. I hope that these ministering printables will be a simple way to reach out to those we minister to.
