This song tells the story of when Simeon and Anna were in the temple and saw the baby Jesus. It describes the joy they felt at seeing "their salvation", and the joy we should have in "seeing" our Savior within our hearts.
christian christmas
Story behind the song
I was doing dishes and thinking about Simeon & Anna' story. Simeon's words "I have seen Thy salvation" kept going over in my heart, and the song just poured out. Tears filled my eyes as the realization came to me anew, just how precious it is to "see" our Savior.
Lyrics
BLESSED TO SEE (D-1) Luke 2:28-32, 36-38
1.There was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon
Devout and righteous, waiting for Messiah to come
The Spirit told him he would not die, until he had seen the Christ
So he prayed and he longed for the promised One
To the temple the Spirit led, where Mary and Joseph came ahead
He saw the child, took him in his arms and said
Cho. I have seen Thy salvation, the light for all the world
Prepared for all people, and the glory of Israel
I have seen Thy salvation, now let me go in peace
Singing praises to God, because my eyes were blessed to see
2.There in the temple a prophet stayed, and Anna was her name
She was a widow, eighty-four years of age
She never left, but stayed day and night; seeking God with all her might
Worshipping, she fasted and she prayed
She came along just as Simeon, was talking there to the three of them
And praising God, to the waiting ones she’d say
Cho. I have seen my salvation, the light for all the world
Prepared for all people, and the glory of Israel
I have seen my salvation, now let me go in peace
Singing praises to God, because my eyes were blessed to see
Bri. Now those of us who’ve seen the light, and who’ve been shown the way
Must not fail to give praise, and share the wondrous news today
Cho. We have seen our salvation, the light for all the world
Prepared for all people, and the glory of Israel
We have seen our salvation, now let us go in peace
Singing praises to God, because our eyes were blessed to see
Singing praises to God, because our eyes are blessed to see
Cyndi Aarrestad, 2010