CHRIST our CONSOLATION: “Lord, now let Your servant depart in peace, according to Your word; for my eyes have seen Your salvation” (Lk 2:29-30). Old Simeon, who prayed this prayer, was waiting for “the Consolation of Israel.” This is parakletos, the encourager, one who adds courage. In the days of the Scottish Covenanters, John Brown of Priesthill was caught by “Bloody Clavers” and six dragoons in the hills near his cottage and brought home to die. His only crime was Christ. His wife exited the door at the commotion with their little boy and girl, and expecting another. John fell to his knees and quietly commended his family to God, the fervency and tenderness of which made the dragoons unwilling to execute him. So Claverhouse did it himself. As his wife Isabel cradled his shattered skull, the monster exclaimed, “What do you think of your husband now?” “I aye thought muckle o’ [much of] him, Sir, but never sae muckle as I do this day.” Ah the bravery of belief!