David Bahn – Reflections

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Luke 2:21-35

And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

²² And when the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord ²³ (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”) ²⁴ and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.” ²⁵ Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. ²⁶ And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. ²⁷ And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, ²⁸ he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said,

²⁹ “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace,
    according to your word;
³⁰ for my eyes have seen your salvation
³¹     that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
³² a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
    and for glory to your people Israel.”

³³ And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. ³⁴ And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed ³⁵ (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”

Tree Fungus-2 | Charlottetown, CA | October 2023

Nunc Dimittis is Latin for “Now, dismiss.” I first heard these words when I was in high school and visited a Lutheran Church. They were sung after Holy Communion (Page 29-30 in the 1941 Lutheran Hymnal).

Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace according to thy word.
For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,
Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;
To be a light to lighten the Gentiles and to be the glory of thy people Israel. – Luke 2:29-32

It immediately struck a chord with me – literally and figuratively. The tune is plaintive and wistful, yet uplifting and hopeful. This is a powerful combination. For Simeon is thankful to God that he had seen the Christ Child before he died. He also knew that his days were numbered. He would soon depart to be with God.

As I sang it over the years, it became a heartfelt prayer. I was saying to God, let me live in peace. Let me leave my sins at the cross. Let me be in right standing with you, and in my own heart. I didn’t sing it in anticipation of my death. I sang it in hope of a peaceful life. I didn’t want my sin to consume me. I didn’t want shame and guilt to weigh down my heart. Nor did I want to wink at sin. I wasn’t saying, OK, Lord, I’m forgiven now and I can do whatever I please. I was saying, I want to live in peace with God so I could live in peace in my own heart. 

These verses became even more important to me in August of 1985. Our family had piled into our Dodge van to go see my Mom and Dad. He was on his deathbed. He held out all day and was able to see us and our sons before taking his last breath. I prayed this prayer for and with him and the family. He took his last breath just a few moments later. I remember thinking, Now the dying is ended.

When I am privileged to serve Holy Communion I use a blessing that reflects one part of this song. “Depart in peace; the Lord is with you,” I say. When God is with us we may be at peace, for our God is rich in grace and mercy. He forgives our sins. He is with us to save us and give us perfect peace. I just recently started saying, “Live in peace; the Lord is with you.” Departing or living; waking or dying: we have peace with God for Jesus has saved us. We can live and depart in peace. Thanks be to God!