Word to the Wise
Friday, December 29, 2017 - Dec. 29 - 5th Day in the Octave of Christmas
[1 John 2:3-11 and Luke 2:22-35]FRIDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2017 FIFTH DAY IN THE OCTAVE OF CHRISTMAS [1 John 2:3-11 and Luke 2:22-35] "Lord, now let your servant go in peace; your word has been fulfilled: my own 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." [Luke] This beautiful prayer is known in the Liturgy of the Hours as the Canticle of Simeon. Those of us who remember the Latin days will recall it as the "Nunc dimittis" after the first two words. It is part of Compline or Night Prayer. Certainly these are the joyful words of an elderly man who has seen the one thing happen that he has lived his life in expectation of. When we recite them, we could recall that we now have the same privilege. We behold the fulfillment of God's promise not only to Israel but to all nations. Simeon also reminds Mary and Joseph that their child has a destiny that will be dangerous, and Mary herself will participate in that in her heart. We may have put the manger scene away and hauled the tree out to the curb. I wonder if that scene can be retrieved along with the Magi who are on the way so that the whole season can be celebrated. They will come in expectation. We are already blessed in the fulfillment of the promise, along with Mary, Joseph, Simeon, Annah and all the nations. AMEN