Glory to God (Christ Has Come)
Glory to God (Christ Has Come)
STORY
Simeon is a much-forgotten character of the Christmas story. He was a devout Jew living in Jerusalem waiting for the consolation of Israel. That consolation would be the promised Messiah, Jesus of Nazareth. Here is his story:
”Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, 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 and said, ‘Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; 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.’ And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, ‘Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.’”
I remember reading his story a few advent seasons ago and being captivated by this man. What would it be like to receive a revelation from the Lord like he did? Did Simeon wait well? Did Simeon ever doubt the fulfillment of the prophecy? Then it hit me: We wait for Christ’s second advent in a similar way that Simeon waited for His first. We have received the prophecy through His Word, we have the Holy Spirit dwelling within us, and we wait expectantly for Christ’s return. Glory to God in the highest! O how we long for the peace that is soon to come.
—Pat Anderson
LYRICS
My eyes have seen
The wonder of salvation
The Word made flesh before my eyes
My heart has longed
To hold the hope of nations
Light of the world for every heart
Glory to God
Glory to God in the highest
Glory to God, Christ has come
My lips will speak
The truth of incarnation
Our God with us, Emmanuel
Our souls now sing
The joy of our redemption
Our Peace is here, Emmanuel
Now I can go in peace
Knowing that you are with me, Lord
Now that my eyes have seen
The glory of my King