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| Rembrandt - The Presentation |
Feb
2nd commemorates the presentation of Jesus at the temple in
Jerusalem, a traditional observance of faithful Jews on the birth of a
first
son. The ritual has special resonance in this case, of course. Mary and Joseph return to God that which
uniquely came from
God. Though they do not yet know it, the child they are presenting is the Christ. Accordingly, this Jewish observance prefigures the
Eucharist in which, week by week, there is also the opportunity (and obligation) to re-present to God a gift God has already given.
Commonly called Candlemas, the Feast of the Presentation has several meanings. The readings are the same each year, and identify Jesus with ‘the Lord whom you seek’ whose unexpected appearance ‘in the temple’ is predicted by the prophet Malachi. The appointed Psalm, appropriately, extols the beauty and wonder of God’s ‘dwelling place’ and the joy of being there. The association with candles comes from the fact that a central part of the Biblical episode recorded in the Gospel for the day is the aged Simeon's 'Nunc Dimittis' with its description of the baby Jesus as 'a light to lighten the Gentiles and to be the glory of God's people Israel'.
Candlemas falls forty days after the Nativity, and has long
been regarded as the very last feast of the Christmas season. This is not just
because it records a Jewish birth rite, but because Simeon's words summarize so
memorably the truth of the Incarnation. Part of the traditional ceremony for Candlemas includes blessing candles
for use throughout the year in both church and home. They are blessed with this prayer.
Bless these candles (+) and make them holy.
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| Icon of the Presentation -- Andrei Rublev |
God our Father,
Source of all light,
this day you revealed to Simeon the light of your
revelation to the nations.
Bless these candles (+) and make them holy.
May we who carry them praise your glory,
walk in the path
of goodness and come to the light that shines forever.
Grant this through
Christ our Lord.
AMEN
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