Baptisms and rites of passage with our childrens’ faith are normally happy occasions.  When Mary and Joseph brought baby Jesus to the temple for presentation to the Lord, Simeon ‘who was righteous and devout’ took Jesus in his arms and prophesied through the Holy Spirit (Luke 2:25-28) that this child he held was God’s very salvation (v30).  He knew he could now go to his eternal rest peacefully (v29).  Yet his subsequent prophetic words carried a hard and realistic edge that is hardly the thing of happy family occasions.  Simeon to Mary said, “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against,  so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.” (Luke 2:34-35).  These must have been troubling words.  How would you have felt if you received this prophecy when your child was young?  We’ll look at these words today and see why they are indeed necessary and the key to better receiving in faith what God has done to us through Jesus.