In 1897, eight-year-old Virginia O’Hanlon asked: “Papa, is Santa real?” Papa suggested she ask an editor from a New York City newspaper. In what is the most reprinted editorial of all time, Editor Church in part replied: “Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus…the most real things in the world are those that neither children nor men can see. We must push aside the curtain and view the beauty and glory beyond.”
But according to physicist, cosmologist, and author Stephen Hawking, we are “chemical scum on a moderate-sized planet.” So is there more to life than such “Bah, humbug?” During this season, if we turn to Santa Claus, we find he is omnipresent but, despite sentimentalities, he’s no long-term solution.
Instead, let’s ponder this profound reality: The One from the “glory beyond” has taken the initiative to “push aside the curtain” to come to us. We live on the “visited planet” (C.S. Lewis). This One from glory came as a baby whose hard edges pierce our godless ways. His coming says: “Time’s up. God’s kingdom is here.”
Since repetition can dull the hard edges of his coming, let’s look at Simeon for a fresh perspective. Somehow, when Simeon met baby Jesus, he recognized God. So how did Simeon connect the dots from baby to God?
Looking at “Eulabes”
One clue is a word Luke uses to introduce us to Simeon. He calls Simeon “devout” (2:25) – in Greek, “eulabes.” So, let’s translate “eulabes” into other words. And, once we understand more of its meaning, like Simeon, let’s hope to translate-it/find-it-translated into our own lives.
“Eulabes” combines the prefix: “eu” – “to do well, good” – plus a form of the verb: “lambano” – translated either actively as – “taking in” or passively as – “receiving.” Those characterized by “eulabes” were people who – in an authentic way – in a healthy way – despite the frailties of human nature – actively took in God as God approached AND also passively received God. As a result, defiance of God, distance from God, and disregard for God fall away. Both those practicing “eulabes” and those receiving “eulabes” draw near God.
Do we have a clue what it is like to be with God in that way? How can we when the Oxford Dictionaries recently named the word ‘post-truth’ as the 2016 Word of the year?
Ancient Greeks had some idea. They used “eulabes” to describe one who is vigilant, reverent, pious, one who is capable of religious awe. In our age of distraction and superficiality, we wonder, how would such a God-focused person come to be?
“Eulabes” and Scripture
As we turn from etymology and ancient Greek to Scripture, we come to the Greek version of the Old Testament. Here “eulabes” describes one captivated by the fear of God. God is so holy; we step back – he is so loving; he draws many to him. The “fear of God” is the centrifugal and centripetal tension healthy souls have in his presence. According to Isaiah (11:3), the coming Messiah would “delight in the fear of the LORD.” Such delight brings a desire to be with God into sharper focus.
“Eulabes” also describes a person who intensely values God. We might say such a person “gets” God – receiving and taking God as God is – even, as in Simeon’s case when God came as an infant. Remarkable.
Deep Questions
How could Simeon recognize the Creator of the universe hidden in a baby? He had not, like many of us, grown-up handling the figurines of a Nativity crèche. Instead, he saw Jesus’ parents – poor, from despised Nazareth – come to the Temple to sacrifice the offering of the poor. Others, unaware of Majesty cradled in the arms of those who some might have called ‘white trash from Nazareth’ – passed by. But somehow, Simeon leaped over those hurdles.
What was the source of Simeon’s insight? After all, even the master of imagination, Tolkien – standing on the shoulders of nearly two millennia of those considering the incarnation – humbly observed: “The Incarnation of God is an infinitely greater thing than anything I would dare to write” (“Letters”). So how could Simeon “get” the incarnation?
“Eulabes” and the Spirit
In chapter 2, Luke repeatedly answers our question: “The Holy Spirit was upon” Simeon… 26 “the Holy Spirit revealed to him “… 27 Simeon “came in the Spirit into the temple.”
Aha, the Spirit befriended Simeon. Simeon’s parents somehow gave him a name meaning: “one who listens.” In this case, God opened Simeon’s ears to the Holy Spirit. In church history, he is called “Theodochos” – “one who receives God.” The Spirit helped him “get” what he otherwise would have missed.
The Prince of Preachers, Charles Spurgeon (1834 –1892) observed: “Without the Spirit of God, we can do nothing. We are like sailing ships without wind. Like branches without sap, we are withered.”
How do sinners like us access the Holy Spirit? – only through what Jesus has done in reconciling so many to God on the cross. And as a result, consider Jesus’ generous promise: “If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” (Luke 11:13). Simeon must have asked. Like a kid, he was eagerly awaiting Christmas.
And, as we connect the dots, we cry out: “Father, for your Son’s sake, give us the Spirit.” And, then, “Holy Spirit, as you came to Simeon, reveal your Partner to ‘Gentiles’ like us so we too will marvel at Jesus.” After all, Simeon promised Jesus would be: “a light for revelation to the Gentiles” (Lk 2:32). Light up our lives, Jesus! With Simeon and by the Spirit, we say to Virginia: “Let’s push aside the curtain and view the beauty and glory from beyond that has come near. Yes, Virginia, Christmas is real.”
