The Fifth Day in the Octave of Christmas

Lk 2:22-35When the days were completed for their purificationaccording to the law of Moses,the parents of Jesus took him up to Jerusalemto present him to the Lord,just as it is written in the law of the Lord,Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord,and to offer the sacrifice ofa pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons,in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord.Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon.This man was righteous and devout,awaiting the consolation of Israel,and the Holy Spirit was upon him.It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spiritthat he should not see deathbefore he had seen the Christ of the Lord.He came in the Spirit into the temple;and when the parents brought in the child Jesusto perform the custom of the law in regard to him,he took him into his arms and blessed God, saying:"Lord, now let your servant go in peace;your word has been fulfilled:my own eyes have seen the salvationwhich you prepared in the sight of every people,a light to reveal you to the nationsand the glory of your people Israel."The child's father and mother were amazed at what was said about him;and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother,"Behold, this child is destinedfor the fall and rise of many in Israel,and to be a sign that will be contradicted(and you yourself a sword will pierce)so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed."