Signposting the light

Barnetby, North Lincolnshire

Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying, “Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel. (Luke 2:27-32)

Simeon signposts the light. To those around him he points to a spectacularly different option and a startlingly fresh life-choice. Simeon signposts a 90 degree change of perspective to their current direction of travel along the same old rutted pathways of habit and disappointment. What he sees he tells. What he has longed for he now knows. Simeon cradles the promise in his arms and feels a deep peacefulness.

There is a lovely track on the Bliss album 'a hundred thousand angels' which comes from the tradition of Raja Yoga and opens up a  gentle alternative way in to this text:

Where do I go with all these feelings and all these faces and open doors. When everyone else seem so serene and I just feel so insecure and where do I go when all the pieces of my heart lay on the floor, you say...

Come into the light why don't you, come into the light why don't you, come on now come into the light.

Where do I go with all these memories and all these bags filled up with shame and how should I feel when you call me an angel and dress me in a crown of gold. What should I do when tears of sorrow just won't stay inside these eyes, you say

Come into the light why don't you, come into the light why don't you, come on now come into the light.

What should I do when a gentle hand it reaches out to take my own and how will I feel when tears of joy they just won't stay inside these eyes. And what will I do when I start to love you and really trust and know you're there, you say

You'll be in the light where I am, you'll be in the light  where I am, come on now come into the light

You can listen to the track here