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.
This passage highlights a side of the birth narratives of Jesus that often goes unnoticed during the holidays. While Advent is primarily a season of hope and the joy of freedom found in Christ, there is an aspect of Jesus’ ministry that is not so "warm and fuzzy." Simeon’s prophecy declares a destiny for Jesus that is challenging for us all.
The presence of God in the flesh is more than a beautiful emotion or feeling; it is a divine light that exposes where our true devotions and allegiances lie. Jesus’ ministry reveals the human heart, uncovering our deepest loyalties. When Simeon says He will cause the "rising and falling of many," it does not mean God manipulates us to stumble. Rather, Jesus’ very presence creates a "crisis point"—a crossroads where we are faced with a definitive decision.
We are called to choose: will we continue down the path of darkness, isolation, and self-reliance, trusting in human power, wealth, and ego? Or will we choose to let go of the strongholds of this world in order to follow the Good Shepherd, to live for God and for one another in God’s new family?
This passage also reveals the weight of love. Love is not merely a positive emotion; it is often a painful, sacrificial decision of the will. To follow Jesus is to sometimes sacrifice the "shortcuts" of life—the temptations to use people for our own advantage or to place our own desires at the center of everything we do. It is an invitation to abandon the idols we have built on the small altars of our own hearts and to continue to be shaped by Christ.
When Simeon tells Mary that a sword will pierce her own soul, it reminds us that love can also involve deep pain. This is not because God wants us to suffer, but because love calls us to follow God even in the face of tragedy and loss. Mary’s journey shows us that being God’s servant does not preclude us from suffering; rather, it calls us to anchor our hope in God rather than our circumstances.
As we approach December 21 later this weekend—the winter solstice and the longest night of the year—may we remember that we are in good company. Like Mary, Joseph, Simeon, and many others before us, we hold onto the love of God even in the midst of uncertainty and tragedy. This Advent, may we be open to the Holy Spirit calling us to a greater faithfulness, holding us in the midst of our hurts, and leading us into the light of God’s eternal morning.
Amen.
