Simeon was an old man who had been promised by God that he would see the Messiah, God's Promised One, before he died. When Simeon observed Mary and Joseph entering the temple in Jerusalem with Jesus, he knew that God had fulfilled His promise. Still, it was important that Simeon hold Jesus in his own arms. Why? I think it has to do with the time of year when Jesus was born (spoiler, it was not in December!). And Simeon's proclamation had some sadness to it, especially for his mother, Mary.