The Gospel for the fifth day in the octave of Christmas is taken from Luke 2, chapter 2235. When the days were completed for their purification according to the law of Moses, the parents of Jesus took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord. Just as it is written in the law of the Lord, every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord and to offer the sacrifice of a pair of turtle doves and two young pigeons in accordance with the dictate of the law of the Lord. Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, awaiting the consolation of Israel. And the Holy Spirit was upon him.

It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death. Before he had seen the Christ of the Lord, he came in the Spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform the custom of the law in regard to him, he took him into his arms and blessed God, saying, lord, now let your servant go in peace. Your word has been fulfilled. My eyes have seen the salvation which you prepared in the sight of every people, a light to reveal you to the nations and the glory of your people, Israel. The child’s father and mother were amazed at what was said about him.

And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother, behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel and to be a sign that will be contradicted and you yourself a sword will pierce so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. In this week of readings, we’re going to see a repeated pattern. Ordinary individuals, not people of the temple. Now, people of high learning are manifesting to Mary and Joseph something so extraordinary about their son. Simeon represents the waiting, the long waiting of Israel for this moment. And he, as a symbol of faith, has always believed that the Messiah would come.

And he walks into the temple and encounters Jesus, Mary and Joseph and knows somehow, deep inside of him, this is the one. It’s a beautiful image of the way the Holy Spirit works in ordinary people and how he affirms the promises that are unfolding daily in our life. After the music, I will close with a prayer. Closing prayer. Father, make us attentive to those around us who carry perhaps a way of seeing that we don’t see. Let us pay attention to the fact that you always seem to work with others to be able to work with us.

Help us to read the signs of those around us. And we ask this in Jesus name, Amen.