Feast of the Holy Family

A light to save and guide us. Today our Gospel reading is the story of Mary and Joseph taking their son Jesus to the temple, just like most of us will have been taken by our parents to church to be baptised.  As a devout Jewish family, they followed the tradition of their faith community. They were greeted by an old man Simeon who had been waiting all his life for the saviour. On seeing Jesus, Simeon recognised him and sang a song of praise and thanks, that at last he could die in peace because he had seen the saviour the light for all the world. What I think is amazing is that his song of praise is said or sung every night across the world as part of Night Prayer of the church.  Anna a prophet, who was 84, would spend her days praying in the temple also saw Jesus like Simeon she gave thanks and spent the rest of her life praising God and telling people who were looking to be saved all about Jesus, the saviour. 

In children’s liturgy we remind the children of Jesus the light of the world and invite our children to take time to give thanks for their families who love them just like Mary and Joseph. The Feast of the Holy Family reminds me of my parent’s church and parish of that name, and at this time when families aren’t able to be together, we can still give thanks for all they do and have done for us. Simeon and Anna recognised the light, our parents who brought us for baptism or those who supported us in our journey towards this gateway sacrament also knew that Jesus was the light to save and guide us. 

 

During this Christmas octave we will include a selection of videos which you might want to use at the end of your day, and join in with all those around the world remembering Simeon's song of praise.  Today's version has been used to close our Advent Taize reflections.