Feast of the Presentation - Candlemas

When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, the parents of Jesus brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, "Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord"), and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, "a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons."

Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Messiah. Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying,

"Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace,
according to your word;

for my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,

a light for revelation to the Gentiles
and for glory to your people Israel."

And the child's father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, "This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed-- and a sword will pierce your own soul too."

There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped there with fasting and prayer night and day. At that moment she came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.

When they had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him. Luke 2:22-40

Often the Feast of the Presentation does not fall on a Sunday. This year, it not only falls on a Sunday, but it falls on Super bowl Sunday. February 2nd is also Ground Hog day. The Presentation celebrates the day when Jesus was brought to the temple as an infant, It is a moment of light, a time of promise, and a moment of expecting new life. We humans need reminders in the midst of the "deep midwinter",  that life will indeed spring forth and that light is returning to the world.

The parents of Jesus were well steeped in the expectations of their cultural and religious traditions. They brought Jesus to the temple for purification and blessing, to do what was required by Hebraic law. There they encountered Simeon and Anna, two elders and pillars of the faith, who recognized Jesus as the one they had awaited all of their lives. What a wonder and shock it must have been for Mary and Joseph. They were doing their duty and strangers surrounded them and confirmed God's promises. We are invited to know that in community, even when we think we are just going through the motions, God's promises will be declared to us. The promise of new light, new life and the world awakening come to us.

Today, I ask God to help me take the steps forward in community that will reveal and renew the promises of God. May we work faithfully together so that all might see the light and love of God returning to every community.

Collect

Almighty and ever-living God, we humbly pray that, as your only-begotten Son was this day presented in the temple, so we may be presented to you with pure and clean hearts by Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.