An Ordinary Day

Luke 2:22-40

It was a day
Just like any other day.
The world spun on its axis,
The sun was shining,
Who could predict that the extraordinary
Would interrupt the ordinary?

Simeon sat at home
Comfortable in his routine.
He had been waiting.
He had been waiting so long
That waiting was now normal.
Expected.
Anticipation was dulled,
Unable to cut through the tarnish
Of the ordinary.

On this day
This ordinary day
God’s sun would shine through
The overcast routine

Simeon heard God.
Got up.
Left home.
And went to the temple.

Mary and Joseph,
Mother and father of a baby.
Did what was required.
They traveled to the temple.
To be purified.
To honor God with sacrifice.
To present their child.

It was a special day for them.
But it was not extraordinary.
All they had planned to do
Was traditional.
Was the law.
Was expected of them.

But on this day,
This ordinary day
God’s sun would break through
The clouds of tradition.

Anna, daughter of Phanuel,
Prophetess
Widow
Had lived a long life
Devoted to God.
Her world was now small.
It consisted of a temple
A tiny place in a huge world.
Her routine was set
Worshipping. Fasting. Praying.
No changes or surprises.

But on this day
This ordinary day
God’s sun would illuminate
Even the corners of her very small world.

Simeon, Mary, Joseph and Anna
Gathered around a tiny child.
What they saw was not ordinary.
They saw a promise kept.
The vision of salvation.
Light to the Gentiles
Glory to Israel.
A sign from God.
Sorrow.
Freedom.

Each returned to his own routine.
Simeon went home.
Anna returned to her tiny life.
The small family traveled back to Nazareth.
But now nothing was the same.

The ordinary had been touched by light.
Transformed by God’s son.