Dear Friends,
The Presentation of Christ in the Temple, also known as Candlemas, is a moment in the Church Year when we hold both the manger and the cross in view. It is a mid-point in our journey from Christmas (40 days ago) towards Holy Week.
In our Gospel, Mary and Joseph bring the infant Jesus to the Temple in order to fulfil the law. This seemingly ordinary act of devotion becomes a moment of deep revelation at the end of Epiphany, the season of revelations! The elderly Simeon and Anna, who have waited long years in hope, recognise in this child the salvation of God: ‘a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to Israel’. The candles we light on the feast of Candlemas speak to us of that same light; the true light of Christ, shining into every corner of the world and into the depths of our own lives.
In our Old Testament reading, the prophet Malachi reminds us that the coming of the Lord is not only comforting, but challenging. God comes to refine, to purify, and to call people back to justice and faithfulness. This theme is taken up in the letter to the Hebrews, where we hear that Christ fully shares our humanity, becoming like us in every way, even to the point of suffering and death. By entering our fragile, fearful condition, Christ breaks the power of death and frees those held in bondage by fear.
So, between his birth and death, Candlemas holds before us the joy and cost of our Christian discipleship. Simeon’s song of praise is also edged with prophecy of pain and hearts revealed.
May the light of Christ, presented in the Temple and shared in our humanity, be kindled afresh in us this week, and lead us onward in faith and peace.
Yours in Christ,
Ian
