Luke 2:22-40

What started out as an ordinary day for Joseph and Mary turned out to be a day with an encounter they would remember for a long time. Perhaps you too have had significant encounters on what you expected to be just an ordinary day?

Simeon gave thanks because his eyes saw the salvation God had prepared. As you look back on the year ending today, in what ways have you experienced God's salvation in your life: an experience of being loved, or discovering a sense of purpose in life, or being touched by the wonders of creation?
Give thanks for those memories.

Perhaps the past year may also have been one in which you have experienced great sorrow. What sword has pierced your soul and what has helped you to cope with it?

The final sentence speaks of Jesus as one who grew and became strong and was filled with wisdom. What has helped you to grow in wisdom? Have you seen others grow in wisdom through the experience of life? Recall times when you had a sense of growing up in some way. What brought that about? Think also of how you have seen growth in another person.