Lord, you now have set your servant free,to go in peace as you have promised;For these eyes of mine have seen the Savior,whom you have prepared for all the world to see:A light to enlighten the nations,and the glory of your people Israel.

(BCP p. 120)

There is a story in Holy Scripture about Jesus as a newborn infant, all of 40 days old. His parents, Mary and Joseph, took Jesus to the Temple to present him to God. According to an old Jewish custom, they offered an animal sacrifice of thanksgiving and dedication to God.

An odd thing then happened. A very old man named Simeon walked into the Temple, took the baby Jesus into his arms, and praised God saying, "Lord, you now have set your servant free, to go in peace as you have promised, for these eyes of mine have seen your salvation ..."

And…