Page 360 - Bible History
P. 360
THE REDEEMER AMONG MEN 333
When he saw the Infant Jesus, he took Him in his arms, blessed God and said, ''Now, 0 Lord, dost Thou dismiss Thy servant, according to Thy word, in peace. Because my eyes have seen Thy salvation, which Thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples ; a light to the revelation of the Gentiles, and the glory of Thy people Israel." This is the Canticle Nunc Dimittis.
Then turning to Mary and Joseph, Simeon blessed them. To Mary he said, "Behold, this Child is set for the fall, and for the resurrection of many in Israel, and for a sign which shall be contradicted. And thy own soul a sword shall pierce, that out of many hearts thoughts may be revealed.''
There was also in the Temple a prophetess, named Anna. She was a widow and she was very old, but she stayed in the Temple night and day, praying and fasting. When she saw the Infant Jesus, she knew at once that He was the Savior of the world, and she an nounced his coming to all that looked for the redemp
tion of Israel.
Soon after this, wise-men came from the East to The
Jerusalem, seeking the King of the Jews. They said that they had seen His star in the East and had come Magi to adore Him. When Herod heard this, he was trou- bled. He assembled all the chief priests and the scribes of the people and inquired of them where Christ should be born. They replied, ''In Bethlehem
of Juda. For so it is written by the prophet
u
[MicheasJ : 'And thou, Bethlehem, the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda, for out of thee shall come forth the Captain that shall rule
:r;:
