How wonderful and pleasant it is
when brothers live together in harmony!
…the LORD has chosen Jerusalem;
he has desired it for his home.
“This is my resting place forever,” he said.
“I will live here, for this is the home I desired.
So the Word became human and made his home among us.
He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness.
And we have seen his glory,
the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.
…when Mary and Joseph came to present the baby Jesus to the Lord
as the law required, Simeon was there.
He took the child in his arms and praised God, saying,
“Sovereign Lord, now let your servant die in peace,
as you have promised.
I have seen your salvation,
which you have prepared for all people.
He is a light to reveal God to the nations,
and he is the glory of your people Israel!”
…there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon.
He was righteous and devout
and was eagerly waiting for the Messiah to come and rescue Israel.
The Holy Spirit was upon him
and had revealed to him that he would not die
until he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. That day the Spirit led him to the Temple.
Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—
the armies of heaven—praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in highest heaven,
and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”
And while they were there,
the time came for her baby to be born.
She gave birth to her firstborn son.
She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth
and laid him in a manger,
because there was no lodging available for them.