西面盼望之歌
传统上，西面被描绘为一位老年人。虽然圣经并没有说明他年纪很老，却暗示了他已等待神所应许的弥赛亚很久了，而且神清楚地启示在他未死以前，会见到这个孩子。所以，西面很可能年纪相当大了。
比西面的年龄问题更重要的，是他的赞美诗。当马利亚和约瑟带耶稣来到圣殿，要将祂献与主时，西面恰恰在那里“受了圣灵的感动”。西面用手接过孩子后，便赞美神，宣告祂是万民的祝福和盼望。
首先，西面以信心宣告神已成就了祂的应许。想像一下，看着这个婴孩，并相信他正是神藉先知预言的那位弥赛亚。西面的诗歌继续说，认识这位基督就是主，能使我们与神和好。最后，西面的诗歌充满了盼望，因为他看到神那全备的工作，就是祂在基督里为万族万民预备的伟大救恩。
我们也可以像西面一样对未来充满盼望。如果你真的信靠耶稣为你的救主，你就会知道最好的尚未来到。将来有一天，你将和西面一样，亲眼见到耶稣。
我们还需要别的理由来歌唱吗？
神啊，我们藉着信心宣告祢在基督里成就了救恩的应许。愿我们的生命，能向周围的人显出祢的荣光。感谢祢赐下盼望——让我们知道有一天我们将与祢面对面。奉耶稣的名祷告，阿们。
路加福音 2:22-32
22按摩西律法满了洁净的日子，他们带着孩子上耶路撒冷去，要把他献与主，（
23正如主的律法上所记：“凡头生的男子必称圣归主。”）
24又要照主的律法上所说，或用一对斑鸠，或用两只雏鸽献祭。
25在耶路撒冷有一个人，名叫西面；这人又公义又虔诚，素常盼望以色列的安慰者来到，又有圣灵在他身上。
26他得了圣灵的启示，知道自己未死以前，必看见主所立的基督。
27他受了圣灵的感动，进入圣殿，正遇见耶稣的父母抱着孩子进来，要照律法的规矩办理。
28西面就用手接过他来，称颂神说：
29主啊！如今可以照你的话， 释放仆人安然去世；
30因为我的眼睛已经看见你的救恩－
31就是你在万民面前所预备的：
32是照亮外邦人的光， 又是你民以色列的荣耀。
The Right Place At The Right Time
"Simeon . . . praised God, saying, 'Sovereign Lord, as you have promised. . . .'" — Luke 2:28-29
Traditionally Simeon is pictured as an aged man. While the Bible doesn't actually say he is old, it does imply he has been waiting a long time for God's promised Messiah, and he is clearly told that he will not die before seeing this child. So Simeon is probably quite old.
What is more important than Simeon's age is his song of praise. "Moved by the Spirit," he is in the temple when Mary and Joseph bring Jesus there to have him consecrated to the Lord. Then Simeon takes the child in his arms, praising God and declaring blessing and hope for all peoples.
First, Simeon claims the promises of God by faith. Imagine looking at this young child and trusting that he is indeed the Lord's Messiah. Simeon's song goes on to say that knowing Christ as Lord enables us to have peace with God. Finally, Simeon's song is filled with hope because he can see the all-encompassing work of God's great salvation in Christ for people of all nations.
Like Simeon, we too can look forward with hope. If you have truly trusted Jesus as your Savior, then you know that the best is yet to come. One day, like Simeon, you too will see Jesus face to face.
Do we need any more reason to sing?
Lord God, by faith we claim your promise of salvation in Christ. May our lives reflect your light and your glory to everyone around us. Thank you for the hope that one day we will see you face to face. Amen.
诵读: 楚云
片头: 张妙阳
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