Wednesday – 5th Day in Octave of Christmas

Gospel – Luke2:22-35

Ho Hum!

Church of the Nativity, Bethlehem 

It is now 4 days since we celebrated Christmas.  And we have now reached the moment that all parents dread!  The presents are all opened and strewn around the house.  Bits of wrapping paper and ribbon are still scattered on the floor.  The shiny new-ness of the toys has begun to dim and many lay ignored and forgotten under the tree.  The Christmas lights seem to have faded a bit and the tree is beginning to shed its needles.  This is the day when our kids utter those unfortunately familiar words – I AM BORED!! 

What happened to Christmas?  What happened to the joy and wonder?  Has it really faded all that quickly?  Have the presents and toys suddenly lost their appeal?   Does the excitement and mystery last only a day and then we move on?

Today’s Gospel tells us of  the Holy Family going up to Jerusalem with the baby Jesus to present Him to the Lord in the Temple, a religious tradition that takes place 40 days after the birth of the first-born.  Parents would present their first-born as an offering to the Lord and then redeem him back with a sacrifice of 2 turtledoves or young pigeons.

And it is there that they meet the Prophet Simeon who rejoices that his eyes have beheld the Savior of the world!   He held Him in his arms, blessed Him and blessed Mary and Joseph.  And then he predicted that this child would be the glory for His people Israel and a light of revelation for the Gentiles.

Think about that!  It’s 40 days after Jesus’ birth and Simeon is still rejoicing, still praising and glorifying God.  What about us?  Has the peace and joy of Christmas faded?  Have we fallen back into the gray skies and darkness of winter?  Has our faith dimmed even a little?  Has everything become humdrum and ho hum?  Are we bored?

Let’s resolve today NOT to lose the wonder and joy of Christmas.  Let’s keep the light of faith burning brightly!  Let us follow the example of Simeon and continue to celebrate the birth of the Savior each and every day!

 

Comments

Popular posts from this blog