Fourth Sunday of Advent: Joy

Even in infancy, people discerned that Jesus was extraordinary

Simeon, a righteous and devout man, was led by God’s Spirit into temple
- there he encountered Mary and Joseph and their baby
• taking Jesus into his arms, he prophesied over him
- then the elderly widow, Anna–who was herself a prophet,
• she also encountered the holy family in the temple
And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of [Jesus] to all who were waiting for the redemption of Israel (Lk. 2:38)