If you
haven’t
taken your
Christmas
decorations
down yet,
then you've
past the
official end
of
Christmastide which
was on 2nd
February
(The Feast
of the
Presentation).
On that day
the parents
of Jesus
took Him to
Jerusalem to
present
thanks to
God for the
very
precious
gift He had
given them
in their
son. Amongst
the crowds
in the
Temple are
two
characters
highlighted
by Luke –
Simeon and
Anna. We
know a
little about
them. Simeon
was a “very
upright and
devout man”
(Lk 2:25)
and Anna
served “God
as a widow
night and
day in
fasting and
prayer.” (Lk
2:36) Both
are
attracted to
the family
from
Nazareth and
delight in
seeing the
Christ-child,
prophesying
and telling
others about
Him. They
were
ordinary
people in
the right
place at the
right time.
In all of
our lives
there are
characters
like Simeon
and Anna;
always
willing to
offer a kind
word, show
interest in
what we are
doing and to
talk with us
and about us
with
affection
and love.
Often they
and their
place in our
lives are
taken for
granted –
they are
simply
always
there.
Perhaps in
the
dwindling
light of
recession,
uncertainty
about
employment,
and fears
over paying
bills, more
attention
can be paid
to them. Why
? Because
like Simeon
and Anna,
these will
be the
bearers of
light into
our lives.
Christmastide
concludes
with the
feast of
Candle-mass:
a
celebration
of light
coming into
the world in
the person
of Christ,
the Light of
the World.
Through
their
encouraging
words,
listening
ears,
willingness
to help out,
positive
approach to
life and
above all
their belief
in us,
family
members and
friends
continue to
bring a
reflection
of that
light into
our lives.
An
appreciation
of them can
lead us to a
deep
realisation
that even in
the darkest
scenario of
life light
can burn to
give us
direction,
comfort and
guidance.
Value and
treasure
these people
in your life
now, because
you will
discover
that when
the chips
are down,
these people
are real
treasures in
your life.
By the Very
Revd. Fr.
Nicholas
Hird,
(Parish
Priest of
Our Lady &
St.
Paulinus),
on behalf of
the Churches
Together in
Dewsbury
