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Can you remember what you were doing 40 days ago? Most likely you were celebrating Christmas. Now, 40 days later, the Church gently closes the Christmas season. The decorations are packed away, ready to re‑emerge when Christmas 2026 arrives.
At Christmas we say, “Happy Christmas!” But today? “Happy end of Christmas season” doesn’t quite land. And yet, like every wonderful holiday or special moment, even Christmas comes to an end. But for the Church, I’m not sure we can—or even should—say the season truly ends.
Because as the celebrations fade, one constant remains: Jesus and His unfailing love for us. Jesus came, and because He died and rose again, and because of Pentecost, we know He is with us always.
During Christmas, you may have heard those majestic opening words of John’s Gospel: “We have seen his glory…” Today we celebrate the moment when Simeon and Anna saw that glory in the temple. And how incredible that we, too, can see the glory of Jesus—in creation, in God’s healing and helping, and perhaps even in the ways others see Him reflected in us.
So what does God’s glory look like? It looks like someone trying to become more like Him. It looks like those moments when we encounter something so beautiful, so holy, that words fall short. Like holding a newborn baby. Or being moved by a piece of music or art that touches something deep inside.
When I picture Mary and Joseph bringing Jesus to the temple, I wonder what they expected. Probably not what happened next.
As soon as they arrive, they meet Simeon. The moment he greets them, he recognises Jesus as the One the world had been waiting for—the Messiah who would change everything. This doesn’t surprise us, but for Mary and Joseph it was yet another extraordinary encounter. They knew Jesus was different; they knew God had spoken; they knew they were part of something far bigger than themselves.
Simeon realised that the promise he’d waited his whole life to see—God stepping into the world—had finally arrived. He saw that Jesus was the light who would transform the world and make life new.
And that light caused Simeon to rejoice: his eyes had seen God’s salvation. In Jesus, the light of the world, we too can celebrate the salvation He brings. We can know and experience the glory of God.
Mary and Joseph then meet Anna, a faithful presence in the temple. She prayed constantly, longing for freedom for her people, longing for God to act. And into her long waiting, the unexpected happened—everything she prayed for arrived in the form of a child.
Two faithful people waited. A baby arrived. And the promises of God began to unfold before their eyes.
Sometimes I wonder: did Simeon ever doubt? Did Anna ever grow weary? Yet even after a lifetime of waiting, God broke into their world—and hope burst forth again.
We can share in that same unshakeable hope. It doesn’t remove every struggle, but it does give us the certainty of salvation—something to receive, and something to share.
Simeon declared that in Jesus he had seen salvation. When we turn to Jesus, when we pray, we too can know His forgiveness and salvation.
Of course, Simeon had more to say. He saw that Jesus’ coming would stir hearts and force choices. He also warned Mary that she would feel deep pain—through what people said about Jesus, and through what He would suffer.
If I were advising Simeon, I might suggest stopping at the joyful part about glory. But he spoke the truth: following Jesus would bring both wonder and sorrow.
Mary stayed faithful anyway. She had said yes to God. She knew the ancient stories of God’s love and calling. Even when she didn’t understand, she held fast.
And now, as the Christmas season ends and we turn again to the constant—the glory of Jesus—it’s worth remembering that the same glory Simeon and Anna saw, the same love and faithfulness Mary and Joseph lived, still guide and inspire us. As we think of Jesus, may we see His glory, know His love, and share it freely with those around us. May we point others to God’s glory always. AMEN.
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