Feast of the Presentation

Today is the last day of the Year of the Tiger. Most of you would have gathered for the Reunion Dinner. It's time to close the year by thanking God for all He gave us last year - the good and the bad. And a time to put aside our differences of the past year by eating a common meal - a very biblical tradition. "Reunion" is precisely that - a union that once existed, was broken and now is restored: "re"+"union". Let's all begin the Year of the Rabbit with precisely that last note - to be restored spiritually, emotionally, psychologically, socially; to be restored in relationships that were broken during the year, relations with God and neighbour.

The Feast of the Presentation that we celebrate today is not merely a passive offering of the Christ child to the Temple as being the first-born. In the words of Simeon, the Presentation is a moment when Christ becomes the "Light to enlighten the gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel" - an active mission to the world. Perhaps this is the perfect message for us as we begin the New Year - to restore unions that once were broken, we need to be a light to others - a sign of hope and comfort; and we need to be the glory of all humanity - a sign of optimism and joy.