“Lord, now let your servant go in peace; your word has been fulfilled: my own eyes have seen the salvation which you prepared in the sight of every people, a light to reveal you to the nations and the glory of your people Israel.” Luke 2:29-32
The passage above is known as the Song of Simeon, a man considered righteous and devout who had been told by the Holy Spirit that he wouldn’t die before he had seen the Messiah. The scene of Simeon first beholding the infant Jesus with Mary and Joseph is depicted on the Mendoza Christmas card this year. The art was reproduced from an inset from the “Our Lady of Sorrows” icon, which was blessed by Father John during the Mendoza Centennial Mass and now is installed in the Stayer Center’s St. Matthew Chapel.
Simeon’s song (also called the “Nunc Dimittis,” which is the traditional “Gospel Canticle” of Night Prayer) is one of rejoicing in seeing a long awaited expectation finally fulfilled and a message of hope for the future. His words express the gratitude for the faithfulness of God who keeps His promises, which is the source of joy in the present and of hope in the future. That is one of the reasons that the passage is often thought to present the Christmas spirit, as we remember the blessings of the past with gratitude, rejoice together in the present and look to the New Year with renewed hope.
We all have different holiday traditions. Growing up in the Netherlands, our family would celebrate Saint Nicholas with presents on the eve of December 5 (rather than presents on Christmas), for example. We also explicitly observed Advent traditions and then celebrated the Christmas season starting December 25. In the Netherlands, both December 25 and 26 have long been national holidays, where most people would not go to work and most shops would be closed.
Others celebrate holidays according to different faith traditions, such as Hanukkah and Kwanzaa, during this time of year. This special and holy season is an excellent time to focus on what we hold in common — the blessings of faith, love for our families and friends, and gratitude for all that we have received.
As we break for the upcoming holidays, I wish you the peace and joy of Christmas, and a refreshed spirit to greet the New Year.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays,
Martijn