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33 The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. 34 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, 35 so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”
Simeon’s words about Jesus were full of awe, but also of solemn prophecy. As he held the infant, he recognized that this child was not just a symbol of hope but also one who would challenge the status quo. Jesus would cause both the rise and fall of many—those who would accept Him as Savior and those who would reject Him. His life would be marked by opposition, and He would be a sign that would be spoken against. These words spoke to the tension between joy and sorrow that would accompany His mission on earth. Jesus was a gift, but He was also a cause of great division.
For Mary, hearing Simeon’s prophecy would have been especially hard. He said that a sword would pierce her own soul too, foreshadowing the immense grief she would experience as she watched her son suffer and die on the cross. It is a reminder that the path of redemption is one that involves pain and sacrifice. In her role as the mother of the Savior, Mary would be intimately acquainted with the cost of God’s love. The joy of the Savior’s birth was just the beginning of a much greater story that would unfold with great difficulty.
Simeon’s words remind us that the arrival of Jesus, while a great joy, also signifies the beginning of a journey that would challenge everything we know about the world. His life would reveal the hearts of men, and the choice to follow Him would come with great personal cost. Yet, it is through this cost that the world would experience redemption. As we reflect on this passage, we are reminded of the true meaning of Advent: that Jesus came not only to bring us joy but also to offer Himself as the ultimate sacrifice.
Lord, as we celebrate the birth of Your Son, help us to remember that His life came with both joy and suffering. Like Mary, help us to trust You even when the cost is high. May we embrace the full reality of what it means to follow Jesus—recognizing both the joy of salvation and the sacrifice required. Thank You for the gift of Jesus and the redemption He brings to all. Amen.
These questions are designed to help you reflect more deeply on the themes of trust, obedience, and waiting on God’s timing during Advent.