Simeon's Moment

One of my favorite images at Christmas is Ron DiCianni's work, Simeon's Moment. DiCianni is a brilliant artist. Years ago, I bought a box of Christmas cards with characters from the Christmas story created by him. His painting is not sentimental. It is bold and passionate - an explosion of character and story.

Who was Simeon? He was a man of Jerusalem who was righteous and devout.

He was apparently elderly, since he speaks as someone in his final days of life. At that time the world was dark and full of despair, and many people did not  believe in God, or they  believed in multiple gods who were distant and powerless.

"And there was then in Jerusalem a man whose name was Simeon; and he was an upright man, fearing God and waiting for the comfort of Israel: and the Holy Spirit was on him."

Luke 2:25

Simeon was like a warrior of faith in dark times. Everyone around him despaired, but Simeon did not because of his faith in God. Simeon believed that God’s promises were true. He had faith that he would see the Savior of the world with his own eyes before his death. Simeon studied the Law of God daily. Through Bible study he understood God’s promise that He would send the Savior of the world. In Jesus, Simeon found salvation for all mankind; they would be saved from their sins through the Son. Because Simeon believed God’s promise in such a time of hopelessness,  something great happened personally in his life.

“It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.” Luke 2:26

Simeon was old enough to die, but because of his absolute faith, God blessed him with the conviction that he would not die before he literally saw the promise of Messiah fulfilled.

“Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:

Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,

you now dismiss your servant in peace,

for my eyes have seen your salvation,

which you have prepared in the sight of all people,

a light for the revelation to the Gentiles,

and for glory to your people Israel."

Luke 2:29-32

Simeon had waited his entire lifetime for this moment ~

http://www.pennstateubf.org/doc/luke/2005/luk2b_msg.pdf

Please visit Ron DiCianni's website, read his biography and browse the  brilliant work he has done - for the glory of the Lord.

http://www.rondicianni.com/