Greetings in the name of Jesus!

I want to focus our minds today on the hidden truths of our Bible Readings.

Firstly consider the reading from John.

The Word became flesh – Yes!

But what did it mean for Mary?

Feeding. Nappies. Sleepless nights. Walking the floor. Crying.

Many of us will remember this well and some of you may live with that experience right now. A baby demands our entire attention. We are devoted twenty four hours a day to the care of our babies. Mary’s devotion to Jesus was complete. She would eat sleep and talk baby Jesus.

Blessed Mother!

It is the essence of devotion and love.

Anna (I named my middle girl after this wonderful old lady), devoted herself to The Word who had just been made flesh.

" She never left the temple but worshipped night and day, fasting and praying…"

This devout and lovely lady devoted herself night and day to the Lord. She offered herself, her prayers, and her fasting, her worship and devotion to the Lord all her waking hours.

Is she not like Mary?

Aren’t they both in truth doing the same thing?

Isn’t that what we are called to do?

To pray without ceasing?

To "Love the Lord Our God with All Our Hearts and Minds and Souls?"

This is the highest calling we have.

We are called to be like Mary and Anna. To be devoted night and day to the Lord. Not just for a few moments, not just for a holy hour, but night and day, night and day, and forever!

So as we consider once again the coming of the Christ Child, let us nurture him in our hearts and minds and souls…

let us be devoted to him who is within us…

let us nurture the Christ within. with the devotion of a mother, with the devotion and dedication of Mary and Anna.

May it be so among us,

Amen