Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what was customary under the law, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying, “...For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples. A light for revelation to the gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.”
That this child is the messiah did not come as news to Jesus’ parents. Mary knew.
She had it explained by the archangel Gabriel that “he will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”
So what was the amazing news?
The new piece here is that this perpetual kingdom is not solely for the people Israel, but for gentiles as well.
Jesus will be important for saving their own community, yes, but God’s desires don’t stop there. The rest of the world will see the light of how to be in relationship with God, and follow it.
A blessing this big bleeds over into places we never expected.
Whatever today blesses you with, imagine how it's an expansive blessing, for you and everyone around you -- loved ones, strangers, even enemies.
What mindset do you need to take with you to experience this expansive blessing in your world today?
-- Kate Davoli