Today we celebrate the second of four great manifestations of God in our midst.  The word epiphany comes from Greek and it means a ‘showing’ or ‘manifestation’. 

The Holy Family was a typical and observant Hebrew family / The importance of unselfishness in families and in the Kingdom

Gospel: Luke 2: 22–40
The favor of God was upon him

‘These are the regulations for the woman who gives birth to a boy or a girl.’

Listening to and accepting God’s plans for me

Gospel: Luke 1: 26–38
Let it be done to me according to your word

It is the final Sunday of Advent. Before we focus on today’s readings did you notice the pattern or themes of the Sunday Gospels over the four weeks? The pattern is the same in each of the Sundays of our three-year cycle.