Tag Archives: Simeon

Christmas 6: Nunc Dimittis

The story of Simeon has given the church one of its oldest hymns, called the “Nunc Dimittis”, after the first two Latin words of the song: “Now dismiss…” There have been many musical versions of Simeon’s song, but today’s poem takes as its inspiration a modern setting by the living Swiss composer Carl Rütti. Rütti’sContinue reading “Christmas 6: Nunc Dimittis”

20 Contemplations #7: Crux

…he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. (Philippians 2:8) Did He view the Cross from birth? Did crossbeams In the stable tell Him where He’d go? Did He see the Cross in treetops’ glow As He flew to earth from Heaven’s beams? Perhaps as Joseph carvedContinue reading “20 Contemplations #7: Crux”

Lent: Enough 4

Praise Him that all our rags have failed:       more longing then for Heaven’s clothes. And praise Him too that faces fall       so that we seek His more. Enough that we now dimly see,       and in ourselves feel death’s sentence. Enough that we have glimpsed this sight        and die to know itsContinue reading “Lent: Enough 4”

Lent: Enough 3

Weary eyes: your sight grows faint, yet Heaven’s gate still opens up for you to walk through. This is enough; O grace enough. Let weary eyes now rest. Like Simeon, though waiting lags, this promise stands in baby’s rags and gives you rest. Your rags have failed; His are your glory. Eyes: this is enough.Continue reading “Lent: Enough 3”

Luke 2: The Shepherds and the Temple

  The child interrupts            commerce,                  the daily graze of life,                             the expectations                  of a quiet night in the fields. The child demands             leaving flocks,                   abandoning norms,                          following the angel’s call                      in evening disquiet. The child enters             the daily,                    the simple: cries, shivers,                           needs food and warmth,                       yet transforms it all.Continue reading “Luke 2: The Shepherds and the Temple”

Christmas Monday

Well: perhaps, you went to church the day before, Heard Jesus hailed as promise kept, as wise Old Simeon and Anna wept and saw The saving one, a babe before their eyes. Perhaps you picked some turkey from your teeth And thought of all the washing to be done, The relatives all gone, so nowContinue reading “Christmas Monday”