“Maybe today.” Maybe today would be the day that I would see the promised one. I woke this way every day, ever since that day so long ago. Maybe today is the day the God of my father, Jacob will fulfill his promise made to me. Maybe today I would see “Messiah.”

It has been this way for a very long time. I remember the first time I heard it, that voice. The memories are not pleasant, for they come with heartache and pain. I am a simple man, with a simple life. My name is Simeon, and I live in Jerusalem. I have lived in this area all my life. I have grown up knowing the stories of my relatives. I am even named after one of Jacob’s sons. I studied to become a rabbi, but it was not to be. I knew the law, and did my best to keep it. As I said, I am a simple man. So I did what I could, and worked my way up the ladder, and even owned my own shop in the market. I sold the everyday wares needed in the house. I worked hard. I was so excited when my father told me a bride had been found for me. We were engaged, and the future looked bright. The first year of our marriage was rocky as we came to know each other, but our love grew. She was a simple girl as well, and she loved our people, and our heritage. Her faith was strong and she believed all she had been taught. She always reminded me that the day would come when the “Promised One” would come and take away our bondage. We talked of it often. It was as if she knew something was coming.

After several years, we found out she was going to have a baby. We were very excited, and it became the topic of our daily conversation. We talked of names, of our history, and of the future. I began to get our own home ready for the new addition. Then, the day of the delivery arrived. It did not go as I had thought. Something went wrong, and the midwives were scurrying around. There was not the joy and laughter that I had experienced as others had babies. It seemed as if I was in a dream, no, more of a nightmare. They came to me and told me that there had been problems in the delivery, and my wife had not made it. She had died giving birth. The baby, he never made it either. In one brief moment, I lost all I had planned. My family, my future, my joy, it was all gone. I stumbled around for days. My family did what they could, but there was no peace. I tried to focus on the business, but all I could see was the face of my wife, and my son, for the moment I held him close. How could I go on? What was there to live for?

So, not knowing what else to do, I went to Temple, and offered my sacrifices. I went to give God that which he deserved. I was not sure that I wanted much to do with this God. I knew the stories of deliverance, and the stories of miracles. There was no miracle in my life. I still believed that there was a promise coming, but it all seemed much harder to celebrate now. As I recited some of the Law, I heard the words of the prophets in the background, and then, I heard a much clearer voice. “You will see my promise. Your eyes will see my Salvation. You will see Messiah.” I turned to see who had spoken to me. While the yard was full of worshippers, no one was speaking to me. I put my head down, and I heard it again. “You will see the promised one of Israel. Your eyes will behold the redemption of the nations.” I looked around again, and thought to myself, “Simeon, you have had some really bad wine!” I asked, “God, is that you?” The reply was, “Simeon, you will see the Glory of Israel, and the light of the nations.” As quickly as it came, it was gone.

I woke up the next morning. My thoughts immediately went to the events of the day before. Had I really heard a voice? Was God telling me that I would really see “Messiah?” After all these years, with no words from God to anyone? I went to work, thinking about it the whole time, went to Temple, and came home. Nothing. I kept thinking that I would hear the voice again, but I did not. This became my ritual, my reason for living, everyday, would begin, “Maybe today?” The days turned to weeks, and weeks turned to years. I found myself meditating on the prophets and their description of the promised one. In the process, I found my sorrow being replaced with joy, and my despair turning to hope. God had spoken! To a simple man He had given a promise! So the “Maybe today?” became “Maybe today!” Year after year, it never got old. In time, I sold my shop to my young apprentice. I went to the Temple everyday. I looked in the crowds, and tried to scan faces. Messiah became my destination. I am now an old man, my hands shake, and my eyes have grown dim, but not my hope. Maybe today!

Then, about six weeks ago, I had a dream. It was more of a nightmare. I awoke in the middle of the night. I felt a tremendous burden of conflict. It was as if I was on the edge of a battle, but could not see it. There was hope and horror. There was victory and defeat. There was anger and hatred, and there was joy and love. Ridiculous, hilarious, love. I went outside to clear my head, and it seemed as if the whole world was involved in something otherworldly. I could feel captivity giving way to freedom. This was not the captivity that held Israel in bondage. This was a captivity of the soul. I did not know what to make of it. It might just have been the evening meal. I am an old man, and my stomach is not always right! I finally went back to bed. I slept restlessly, and awoke in the morning, “Maybe today!” Nothing.

That was six weeks ago. This morning I woke up, and immediately thought, “Maybe today!” I cleaned myself up, and decided to go to Temple early. I thought of the events of the last several months, with the census, all the travelers, and the oppression of Rome. I thought to myself, “Today would be a good day to see Messiah.” I thought that all the time. I was becoming a vintage believer. I made my way to the Temple, and that is when I saw them. A young couple, obviously from the farmlands. He was a strong young man, holding a couple of pigeons. She was holding a baby close to her chest. They went to the priest, and made the offering. It was obvious that they were not from wealth or affluence. I watched from the distance. There was something different about them. They had a maturity about them. I came closer, and could see that he was a hard worker. His hands were calloused, and his eyes were those that measured everyone around. Her eyes were only for her baby, a boy.

It was then, I heard the voice again. “My redemption is here. This is Messiah!” I came closer, and the father looked at me. I haltingly held out my weak and aged arms, and she placed the baby in my shaking hands. At once, my hands became steady. My arms were strengthened. It seemed as if a whole new force was taking over my body. The words that flowed were no longer mine. “My God, you can now take me home. You can take your slave in peace, for today my eyes have beheld Salvation. You have been preparing the whole world for this light for all time. This glory for Israel, and the hope of redemption for the world!” In that moment, I knew that what I was holding and seeing was supernatural. The baby I held was the hope of the world! This was Messiah! In my simple, aged, hands, was the redeemer of all mankind!

I looked into Mary’s eyes as Joseph took Jesus from me. In that moment, I knew that she would feel some of the pain that I had experienced. She would lose her baby as well. It would be different, but it would be piercing. I told her what I had seen, and her eyes told me, she understood. It was as if my own pain had prepared me for this moment with Mary and Joseph. All of that dimmed in the glorious light of the restoration of God’s promise. This baby was the fulfillment of the promise made to Adam, Abraham, and Jacob. I had seen and held the Salvation of our God. Messiah had slept in my arms. Maybe today? It was today!

Today is the day that God has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it. For I have seen the glory of the Lord, and He has made me glad! Merry Christmas!

Here is a poem written for this Easter season. Click the link below to open it.

Easter Poem

This winter has been one for the record books! My kids have already had more snow days in this school year than the last ten years combined! People are pining for spring break, warmer temperatures and green grass. I even dreamed about mowing the lawn and did not mind the work! This year has brought to mind the various winter storms we face here in the upper Midwest. Think about it for just a minute. I promise it won’t be long.

1. Snow storms. Just plain heavy snow falling straight down. The kind that piles up to more than a foot of white powder and changes the landscape overnight. Trying to move it can be a difficult task, especially when the plow brings it right back into your driveway.
2. Ice storms. The kind that leaves everything looking like crystal. It is beautiful, but it can be deadly on the roads, and it snaps trees and power lines alike. Walking down or up the driveway is an adventure!
3. Blizzards. The fury of the wind and the snow make everyone scramble inside and stay. This storm shuts down cities and even the interstates.
4. Bitter cold. The kind that makes your nostrils hurt when you breathe. Cars won’t start, pipes freeze and burst, even your bones hurt! You add a wind chill, and even though the sun can be shining, it is painful.
5. Heavy fog. The kind that is so thick, you can almost feel it on your skin as you go outside. This kind of storm is deceitful, for you think that it is safe, yet driving in it is hazardous due to the limited visibility.

As we experienced all of these storms this winter, I have had plenty of time to pause and ponder the difference in each one. While they are all storms, they each have their own personality and individual afflictions. I was reminded of the types of storms that come into our lives and how they, too, are all difficult, yet unique.

1. Snow storms. The times in our lives when we are overloaded and burdened. We feel like we can never keep up. With each shovelful, the load gets heavier. We feel buried underneath the weight.
2. Ice storms. The times we are on a slippery slope that we are not sure how to navigate. It can even seem beautiful at times. We think we can manage it alone, and then find ourselves spinning out of control into an area of sin.
3. Blizzards. These are the times for which we can’t even begin to prepare. It paralyzes our every movement. We are in a storm of life, and we know it! Everything shuts down.
4. Bitter cold. When things appear to be okay, but we are hurting and no one may know it. We try to keep moving, but the pain of living seems too great to go on.
5. Heavy fog. Where we lose direction and are not sure which way to turn, when we want God to tell us where to go or what to do, but He seems silent. We lose our vision and direction.

James 1 tells us that the storms in our lives are inevitable. He doesn’t say if storms come our way, but when they come our way (1:2). We can be sure that our Heavenly Father allows these storms to come our way so our dependence on Him will grow. God wants to make us mature, strong, and complete in him. Storms are the avenue to that destination. The outcomes of strength in character and wisdom for living come only through the storms of life. They are very hard to endure and can seem, at times, like they are breaking us. It is then that we have to be sure that all our trust in the One who is in ultimate control of the storm, and He will see us through. We can be assured that going through the storms of life will bring us to a new level of love for God and passion for His glory!

So…even though spring is officially still weeks away, and we still have the snowiest time of the year ahead, we can take heart. Sit back, have a cup of coffee or hot chocolate, build a fire in the fireplace, and enjoy the storm. This too shall pass.

I’ll never forget that night it began.
A night that I will always remember.
We were all settled down and the sheep were asleep,
While others watched I was beginning to slumber.
We had seen so many people coming to Bethlehem,
This census was driving us crazy.
The lines were long, and tempers were short.
All the commotion was really amazing!

Now it was night and stars were bright.
All the bustle has ceased for the moment.
I rolled out my blanket, stretched out by the fire,
And readied to catch a few winks.
I thought about stories I had heard through the years.
Of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
How God would provide, and lead and guide,
And give victory over foe and fears.

It started with nothing more than a breeze.
A blowing that wasn’t the same.
Then it grew louder, and then it was brighter.
The sky was now all aflame!
I was fearful and wondered what it could be
That would make this strange thing occur
Was it storming? Was I dying?
It now all became a blur!

With a shout and scream, and a blast of a horn,
An army now came into sight.
This was an army like I’d never seen!
Their appearance gave me a fright.
Their number was huge, all over the sky,
They looked like they’d just come from battle.
They yelled, and sang, and shouted out praise,
I admit, I was quite rattled.

These angels were giving glory to Yaweh,
The God of heaven and earth.
The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
The forefathers of my nation of birth.
They said not to fear, and not run away,
For the news they were bringing
Would give us great joy
Soon we would be singing!
A messiah was promised,
This we all knew.
Our nation had waited so long.
He would bring hope
And joy to our people
And make right all that was wrong

They sang of peace, and goodwill to all
A Savior they said had been born.
A stable was the place of his birth.
Out of the way and very forlorn.
He was to be found in a simple manger
With animals in His presence
No riches or gowns or presents of splendor for
This king who would make such a difference.

Then they were gone and silence returned.
We were left in amazement and wonder.
We looked at each other and looked to the sky
This message we now had to ponder.
We decided to go and see for ourselves
This thing that we had been told
Could it be? Was it all true?
This promised messiah of old?

So we ran and raced to the little town
Where so many had come to reside
And we found the place the angels had said
We paused and we stepped inside.
We came to the place where the baby laid
And to our knees did we fall
And gave Him our worship, and adoration
We knelt there in wonder and awe.

How long we stayed I don’t really know
For time was forgotten that night
We returned to the fields, laughing and shouting
Telling everyone of the glad sight
Of a baby that came to bring hope to the lost
Of Messiah who came to bring peace
We did not know that price to be paid
Would come in the form of a cross.