Heralds of Christmas!

Monday, December 30, 2024

1 Jn 2:12-17; Lk 2:36-40

Today’s Gospel highlights Prophetess Anna’s encounter with Jesus at the temple. 

There is something unique about this encounter. 

After meeting with Jesus, Anna becomes a herald as she begins to talk about the child to those who are awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem.

The prophetess symbolizes what really happens when there is an encounter with Jesus.

Encountering Jesus is to become his emissaries, as we can hardly contain the joy of meeting with our Redeemer. 

Or the very purpose of meeting with Jesus is to share and spread the glad tidings to the rest of the world. 

The Gospel describes that ‘Anna never left the temple, but worshipped night and day with fasting and prayer.’ In this instance, Anna’s waiting was not only to meet with Jesus but also to make him known to all. 

The season of Christmas invites us to proclaim the Good News that God has visited humanity to turn us all to be like Him. 

The joy of Anna and the example of her proclamation show how we need to live out the spirit of Christmas.

Let us pray that we may be inspired by Anna’s example to be heralds of Jesus’ birth.

Fr. Dhinakaran Savariyar