Simeon's Nunc Dimittis
Taking the infant Jesus in his arms in the temple, the devout Simeon blessed God in a brief, luminous song: 'Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace... for mine eyes have seen thy salvation.' He hailed the child as 'a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.' The church has prayed his song for centuries as an evening and departing prayer.
Key Passages
Now Lettest Thou Thy Servant Depart
Luke 2:25-32
Simeon, holding the infant Jesus, sings that his eyes have seen salvation - a light to the Gentiles.
25nd, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.
Did You Know?
'Nunc Dimittis' is Latin for 'now you let depart.'
Old Simeon sang it holding the infant Jesus in the temple.
He had been promised he would not die before seeing the Messiah.
It calls Jesus 'a light to lighten the Gentiles.'