At the Presentation of our Lord, Simeon blesses Mary and Joseph, but also tells them that their son will inaugurate the rise and fall of many and be a sign that will be opposed. Simeon concludes by telling Mary that a sword will pierce her heart also. Glory and anguish, beauty and sorrow, gladness and opposition. All these and more will be contained in the Christ Child, and indeed in each of our own lives. And that’s why we need Christmas to last longer than just 24 or 48 hours. The lives we lead are both wonderful and difficult. And Jesus came down from heaven to be God with us and for us, through all our ups and the downs. Thanks be to God! Amen.
