12 Days of Christ: Day 12 (Jan 30, 2023)

Ah, Simeon, how long did he wait? God made him a promise, & he waited for that promise. More importantly, he prepared for that promise. And at the right time, the Spirit led him to the right place for it to be fulfilled- the temple.

There He was- the baby Jesus.

“Then took he him up in his arms, & blessed God, & said, Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: For mine eyes have seen thy salvation” (Luke 2:28-30)

What an amazing moment for Simeon! Everything he waited for became real.

I didn’t get to cradle Him in my arms.

But maybe I don’t need to wait to see “thy salvation.”

There is a beautiful little Christmas song by The National Parks called “Far Away” that has run through my head the last few weeks. The chorus goes:

“‘Cause far away
Is born a little child
Far away
The Savior of Mankind
The Prince of Peace, The King of Kings born in a manger
Far away
Seems a little closer today”

Far away. Yes, that’s how I feel sometimes. All the scripture stories seem far away. Christ & His miracles seems far away. The possibility of Him really coming again- yeah, seems far away. Like I’m reaching for this big abstract thing. A myth.

So a few weeks ago I spoke a simple prayer, “Help it feel real again. Make Him feel real.”

And I keep getting these small moments of ✨REAL✨, & the song line comes into my head every time, “Seems a little closer today.”

Yesterday my husband took a last-minute flight to be with his mom following a severe medical emergency.

Life as she knows it is forever changed.

As she hovers in her fragile state, I can’t help but reflect on my sweet mother-in-law’s faith & example throughout my life. I love her dearly & am grateful for her!

We don’t know which way this will go, but in conversations with my husband & kids, the reality of the plan of salvation hits. And just as Simeon finally held that baby in his arms, I hold the real effects of that baby’s life. And I hold my babies- forever my babies- & know because of Him we are an eternal family.

Mine eyes have seen thy salvation.

And what happened so far away, the birth, the death, the resurrection…

Seems a little closer today.