Luke 2:22-40

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

Simeon gave thanks because his eyes saw the salvation God had prepared. In what ways have you experiences 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.

Simeon also acknowledged that not all would accept the light that would shine through Jesus and this rejection would be a cause of pain to parents, teachers, church ministers, and all who work for others when some reject values, projects, advice which would be for their good. Perhaps a sward has sometimes pieced your soul as well. What has helped you to maintain hope in such times?

Even within ourselves we can be aware of division, at times being open to the light of God and at other times resisting it. Have you known the pain of that struggle? What has helped you to keep seeking the light of God in your life?

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. about?