Advent Devotion – A Light Shines in the Darkness – Day 12

For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.
Luke 2:30-32

Sharing is Caring

Have you ever noticed how hard it can be to share? We try to teach sharing to toddlers, but putting it into practice as adults can be equally challenging. Don’t know what I’m talking about? Consider how you feel when someone asks for a copy of the recipe everyone raves about. What about when you find someone in “your” parking spot? How do you feel when someone else gets credit for your idea? It’s hard to share because it can feel like we’re giving away something precious or that we consider uniquely ours. There’s always a part of us (our sinful nature) that wants to hold tight and keep joy for ourselves.

Simeon shows us something different. When Mary and Joseph brought the infant Jesus to the temple, Simeon took the child in his arms. (A quick aside: Mary actually showed sharing first. Any new mom knows what I’m talking about! But back to Simeon.) Can you imagine what this would have been like for him? In a special revelation from the Holy Spirit, Simeon knew he wouldn’t die until he had seen the Messiah (Luke 2:26). And now, here was Jesus. The fulfillment of God’s promise to the children of Israel was cradled in Simeon’s arms. What a personal gift and public celebration for his people!

And yet, Simeon’s words revealed he understood God had a much bigger plan. Even while Simeon rejoiced in the personal gift of seeing Jesus, he immediately celebrated the fact that this gift was never just for him. From the beginning, God had announced that his salvation from sin would be for all people.

Simeon’s words also reflect his understanding of how God’s salvation would be given to all people. For Israel, Jesus is the glory of God’s people—not because they were better than anyone else, but because through them, God’s promise was fulfilled. For the Gentiles, Jesus is the light that reveals salvation to those who had been in the dark, not knowing God’s promises, not even realizing salvation was for them too. Through Christ, what was hidden is uncovered; what was unseen is brought into view.

Simeon’s joy was generous, wide open, and reflective of God’s own heart. He held salvation in his arms and knew: This is what I’ve waited for, but it isn’t just for me. This is for the whole world.

As women preparing for Advent and Christmas, Simeon teaches us something vital. We treasure the deeply personal joy of Christ—our Savior from sin, our peace with God, our light in the darkness. But like Simeon, we are invited to lift our eyes outward and remember that this joy is not ours alone. Christmas is not only a family celebration or a cozy tradition; it’s the good news of salvation for all nations.

Like Simeon, we celebrate that fact by sharing Jesus with those who don’t know him. Through invitations to join in our Christmas celebration, by saving a seat next to us at church, through words of encouragement or acts of kindness, we reflect the light of Christ. When we open our arms, our homes, and our lives to others, we echo Simeon’s song: This is for me—and it is also for you.

So as you prepare for Christmas, let your heart rest in the personal joy of Jesus, your Savior. And at the same time, rejoice in God’s great generosity. He sent this light not for some, but for all. Like Simeon, we can see salvation with our own eyes, and with the same joy, we can share it with the world.

Prayer: Dear Jesus, as we prepare our hearts this Advent, help us to treasure the personal joy of your salvation while also remembering it is a gift meant for all. Give us courage to share your light with others through our words, our homes, and our lives. May our hearts echo Simeon’s song, rejoicing in your presence and reflecting your glory to the world. Amen.

Written by Dawn Schulz