+(Intro) This day of the Christmas Octave would have us reflect on our own response to the Child born and laid in a manger over 2000 years ago. He was born so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed as our gospel this morning tells us so let reflect a moment on our own reception of this Child who was born for us.

(After the gospel) In each of our lives, in our own time we too have daily encounters with Christ. In fact, we encounter with him in each of our sisters and brothers with whom we live. As the theologian Gerhard Lohfink has asked: “Will we too , when we encounter Christ, praise God as Simeon and Anna did, and receive with deep joy what is given to us?”

As Simeon took Jesus in his arms, he blessed God and knew his own eyes were seeing the salvation prepared in the sight of every people, a light for all nations and the glory of God’s people Israel. I could not help thinking that this Child is still the cause “for the fall and rise of many in Israel,” a sign that is “contradicted so that the thoughts or many hearts may be revealed.”

Jesus is always bringing out the best in each of our hearts so let us be filled with gratitude as we celebrate this Eucharist, knowing that this Christ is even now redeeming our world even amid all the conflicts and unrest among its peoples and Nations.

1 John 2:3-11; Luke 2:22-35