Celebrating Candlemas
“When the days were completed for their purification, according to the law of Moses, they took him up to Jerusalem to 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 of ‘a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons,” in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord.”
Luke 2:22-24
On this Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, we celebrate the beautiful event where Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to the temple. I love thinking about this particular day, because it recalls the joy and excitement of the baptism days of my own children. What excitement Mary and Joseph must have felt to fulfill this dedication, what preparations must they have made, perhaps they had family and friends celebrate with them. It was a day of Purification for Mary, how happy she must have been to have been able to enter the Temple.
This passage of scripture brings forth two Biblical figures that give us much to contemplate. The first is Simeon. Scripture describes him as righteous, filled with the Holy Spirit, and awaiting the consolation of Israel.
“He came in the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform the custom of the law in regard to him, he took him into his arms and blessed God, saying: “Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen the salvation, which you prepared in the sight of all the peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and glory for your people Israel.”
Luke 2:27-32
Can you imagine being Simeon? His patience, his faith, his assurance – he didn’t stop to question if this was the Messiah, he didn’t second guess himself, he knew. He didn’t have to revisit the scrolls or consult the priests, the spirit was in him and he knew. He knew because was accustomed to prayer and he knew the scriptures. He internalized all that the law taught him so that when Jesus came to the temple, he recognized him as “a light for revelation to the Gentiles and glory for your people Israel.”
The second figure is the prophetess Anna. Advanced in age and devoted to constant prayer and fasting, she too, recognized Jesus.
“She gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were awaiting the redemption of Israel” Luke 2:38
And oh, how long they had been waiting. Generations and generations – but the hope of Simeon and Anna never wavered.
The Feast of the Presentation of the Lord is known by many names, including the “Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary,” “The Feast of the Holy Encounter” and “Candlemas.” Simeon’s proclamation gives us this name “Candlemas” and the feast is often celebrated by bringing candles to be blessed to your local parish.
This year, we rolled and decorated our own beeswax candles and will eat our breakfast by candlelight, because He is, indeed, the light of the world.
“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12
On this Feast of Candlemas may we live like Simeon and Anna.
May our hearts be steady and know truth when we see it.
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