THE CHRISTMAS EXPERIENCE AND THE PRESENTATION OF THE LORD...........

The Gospel of Luke : 2:22-35, which tells of the Presentation in the Temple of the Child Jesus, by his parents Mary and Joseph, in accordance with the Jewish rite of purification; is the basis oif our Christmas scriptural focus today.  Formerly, and unoficially, the Christmas Season in the Church span until February 2, the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord.  Fidelity to the Law, particularly in bonafided religious observance, underscores the purpose and fulfillment of the Christmas mystery, God becoming Man, in order to bring about the Gift ofd Salvation and Human Redemption.  This 5th Day of Christmas also being the optional Memorial of St. Thomas A Becket, also shares a link between the Christmas Event and the Purification rites in theTemple.  Thomas Becket's fidelity to God and his Faith, mirror the fidelity of the Holy Family in fulfilling their commitment to God and religious obser vance, by presenting the Christ Child in the Temple.  Today's Gospel Proclamation went on to share the Canticle of Simeon, which we pray in the Liturgy of the Hours at Night Prayer, daily.  Simeon prophetically proclaimed God's fulfillment of letting him live to see the Coming of the Promised One.  Passing the midway point of this first week of Christmastide, may what you have celebrated the past five and one third days,  have welled up in you the desire to make the two thirds of our Christmas Season ahead, an equally significant and celebratory time of Faith, Fellowship, Family, and Friendship, in fidelity to our Love of God, and the Incarnation for our Salvation..........Fr.  Troy