John's small Christian community had been badly shaken by recent events. Their membership has dropped, and no doubt bitter words were exchanged about former members who had turned away and left. But..

What distinguishes Anna is her age, eighty four years old, and the fact that she never left the Temple, but remained there, serving God night and day with prayer and fasting...

Simeon, a devout elderly Jew, took the child in his arms and blessed God. If every child is fascinating, how much more was the child Jesus? Having held him and gazed at him, Simeon was ready to leave this world and go to God.

1st Reading: 1 John 1:5-2:2

Those who walk in darkness, and those who walk in the light

Beloved: This is the message that we have heard from Jesus Christ and proclaim to you: God is light, and in him there …

Stephen died as Jesus died, "filled with the Holy Spirit." We have received the same Holy Spirit, inspiring us to live like Jesus and die like Jesus...

Let the gloom and darkness, which exemplify the fallen and corrupt nature of the human race, be lifted, ushering in a new age of glory to God and peace on earth. And so an angel of the Lord appeared to some humble shepherds...

Today's gospel is an attempt, in simple language, to describe what happened on that day, so long ago, when Jesus was born. It was the second of heaven and earth, in the incarnate Word of God ...

The naming of a child is an important decision. People will have different ideas about what is most meaningful. But ultimately, it is the choice of the parents. Their relatives and neighbours expected Zechariah and Elizabeth..

Mary and Elizabeth felt the saving grace of God flowing through their lives and were not afraid to encourage each other by saying so. Many of us were raised on the principle that 'God helps those who help themselves'...

Luke has annunciation stories to both Zechariah and Mary, which are parallel in various ways. When startled at the angel's appearance, both are told not to be afraid. Each is promised a child and given a hint of ths child's future greatness...