Christmas time is traditionally a time of song, so many and so lovely carols old and new celebrating the birth of Christ. So today let's pray (and sing) with the Responsorial Psalm 95 "Sing to the Lord a new song¡Kannounce his salvation day after day." For it is still Christmastime, right up to 12th night, "little Christmas", Epiphany, even if the world of shopping and advertising seems to think Christmas finishes rather than begins on 25th December.

And what a lovely song ('canticle') we hear in today's gospel: the words of blessing and praise offered by that devout old man Simeon who took the baby Jesus into his arms in the temple. "Lord now let your servant go in peace, ... my own eyes have seen¡K"

Here in the Lord's temple of stone, Mary who's been the living temple where God has come to live in a human house, offers her Son for the service of His Father. She will keep His word, walk in His way, even in the way of His cross as Simeon said.

What we've seen in these days is the light that has revealed the Lord to the nations. We've seen a sign that will be contradicted. May our celebration of Christmastime lead us deeper into the mystery of God's love for His world.