The Sixth Day in the Octave of Christmas
As our Christmas season continues our celebration has lost none of its fervor. Yet the secular world in many ways has packed Christmas away for the year. The contrasting celebrations are striking. What seems even more incredulous is that the world has focused more on the sensual side of the season. While gift giving and decorations can be important, their position is of little relevance if the celebration is not rooted in Christ. In fact, radical discipleship demands we recognize Christ here in this season and year round. Today’s readings encourage us to remember this.
The first reading from the letter of 1st John encourages the whole community to stay focused on Christ. This focus of Christ has John reminding his community and us to reject our sinful nature. For John, we must focus on knowing the Lord and on doing his will. This alone will make us one with God. John admonishes us to stay focused on God, not the trappings of this world.
Like John, Anna the prophetess found in the today’s gospel, models staying focused on God. She is like Simeon whose character is introduced in the verse just previous to today; she is towards the end of her life. Symbolically, they both represent Israel who has waited a very long time for the coming of the Messiah. Anna never left the temple night or day. Her whole life was consumed with prayer and fasting. Anna’s life made her particularly ready to recognize and receive the Messiah. Reflect on how you have recognized and received the Messiah this Christmas. Let us all be like Anna praising God all the time.
May the words of the psalm be our prayer today as we focus on Christ!
Give to the LORD, you families of nations,
give to the LORD glory and praise;
give to the LORD the glory due his name! (Ps 96:7-8a)
Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice! (Ps 96:11a)
Amen!
-Michael Montgomery