Candlemas

This week and next, our liturgical siblings in Eastern and Western traditions gather to culminate the welcoming of the Christ child with the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord (Candlemas)  — a celebration that honors the account in the gospels where Mary and Joseph, 40 days after Jesus’ birth, bring him to the temple in Jerusalem in obedience to the law of Moses, where it is written, “Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord” (Luke 2:23 NRSVUE).  

At Candlemas, candles are lit to celebrate Jesus, the light of hope. In Luke’s gospel the prophet Simeon is led to the temple by the Spirit and proclaims that the child will be “a light for revelation to the gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.” This light is also perceived by the prophet Anna, a widow who worshiped at the temple day and night with fasting and prayer. At that moment of Simeon’s blessing, she came and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.  

In spending time with these liturgical traditions, my own tradition’s faithful chorus brought back to my heart a stirring and deeper conviction to service. Please join me in reflecting on this chorus — Jesus, the Light of the World — and two poems — "Anna and Simeon" and "The Feast of the Presentation" — for inspiration as we continue to celebrate our own new beginnings and meaningful ways that the light of hope and of promise radiates within us and our work.

 

Jesus, the Light of the World 

Walk in the light, beautiful light,
come where the dewdrops of mercy shine bright.

Shine all around us by day and by night,
Jesus, the Light of the world.

- By J. V. Coombs 

 

Anna and Simeon

He stumbles, as an old man might
who finds his answered prayer has come.
But unexpectedly, he finds
a baby is the ans’ring one.

She, who has waited long in grief,
a widow, decades on her own.
Now finds she dances, full of joy,
and shares with all what she’s been shown.

They saw the baby king, and smiled
at what this coming signifies.
They are the ones who understand,
who see, whom God did not surprise

- By Fr Mark Skelton

 

The Feast of the Presentation

A peasant girl, new mother, lost and tired,
walks quietly in amidst the crowd, the noise.
Bears one small taper, with its tiny flame,
unnoticed by the ones who gather close.

One breeze could end the light before it shines
but husband hand, worn hard by hammer blow,
Though rough, shields gently with a fost’ring love,
and hopes to see this light develop, grow.

Two figures move from shadow to the light.
One knows he now can lay his burden down.
His waiting over, he has seen the hope
which will repel the darkness, light the throne.

The other; ancient woman, full of prayer,
whose decades wait has drawn her to this place;
finds movement pulsing in her creaking limbs,
her song renewed, this light floods worlds with grace.

- By Fr Mark Skelton

 

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Peace & Blessings,

Angel Eaglin

Associate Director for Thriving Congregations