Sunday 02/02/25

Candlemas

Luke 2:22-40, Hebrews 2:14-end

The Presentation of Christ in the Temple concludes the season of Epiphany.  The account in Luke’s Gospel may be familiar to you already: the child Jesus, who has been manifested to the magi at his birth, is now recognised by two people in the Temple: Simeon and Anna.  Mary and Joseph have brought him to the Temple according to the Law.  As Simeon proclaims, he is both a ‘light to the Gentiles and the glory of God’s people Israel’.  It all sounds lovely, but of course, as we know, the redemption that Jesus is to bring, must be worked out through suffering.  The joy of the Incarnation is pointing to the Passion; and the words of Simeon directed in particular to Jesus’ mother Mary take us from the celebration of Christmas to the Easter mystery.  Traditionally, candles are taken to the local church to be blessed and then used for the rest of the year, to symbolise Jesus Christ as the Light of the world.  It’s interesting: we use candles a lot in church and also in many homes, candles are lit.  A soft flicker of light in the darkness, as a sign of hope.  And it’s true: even one candle flame will make a difference in an otherwise dark environment, so that we can see where we are or where we are going.  This is also about the meaning of light and especially the meaning of Jesus, the Light of the world.

Simeon says, ‘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 of your people Israel.’  Now you are dismissing….  Now is the moment when I have truly seen.  We talk about a light coming on, when we realise the truth of something.  This was a lightbulb moment, as we would say these days.  The Holy Spirit must have indicated to Simeon who this baby was.  There will have been other babies too, with their parents, to do what the Law required.  But this one stood out.  Simeon recognised him and so did Anna, the prophet who was also there and began to praise God and speak about this child, and how he would be their Saviour. 

In the passage from the Letter to the Hebrews, chapter 2, we find this described beautifully: ‘Since, therefore, the children share flesh and blood, he [Jesus] himself likewise shared the same things, so that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, … and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by the fear of death.’  Death and darkness, both destroyed by the work of Jesus, the Light of the world.  Candlemas is a symbolic moment when we are reminded of just how important the work of salvation has been for us.  Yes, the world is a dark place for many right now.  Time and again, we have seen how people have ‘lost it’, through hatred and greed and other selfish behaviour.  It has led to war and climate change, and the end may not yet be in sight.  The Light of the world has perhaps never been so important to us than right now.  Now is the moment, then, for the world to really see, to recognise the infant who came to save us.  What can we do to share his light to those who have not yet seen?  How can we reflect his light to those in need?  Perhaps we first need to absorb the light of Jesus ourselves, so that we can fully shine, by his grace, and dispel the darkness.  It only takes one small light to change the situation.  May we all, then, shine!  Amen.