Luke 2:22-40 (NRSV)

When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought [Jesus] 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 turtle-doves 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 for seven years after her marriage, then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshipped 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 favour of God was upon him.

Simeon’s proclamation after seeing the infant Jesus for the first time screams to a place of prominence for me in the reading today.  One can feel the energy and joy that is expressed in Simeon’s “song.” 

In the content of the song, Mary receives good but challenging news about her new baby - that he is destined for greatness, and will bring about truth and redemption for Israel.  This proclamation was also witnessed by the prophet, Anna (yes, women can be prophets too!) who spread the good news to those looking for redemption.  

This is the reading for the Feast of the Presentation of Our Lord (Feb 2).  In the church calendar, today marks 40 days since Christmas day (the birth of Jesus), and in Mosac law marked the time when Mary was to go to the temple to be purified after giving birth to a male child [Leviticus 12:2-8].  It also marks the time when Jesus is dedicated to the Lord by being presented at the temple where a ritual sacrifice is made [Numbers 18:15].  On this day the church celebrates Jesus, who is the light of the world, coming into the Temple of Jerusalem (or house of God).  To commemorate this event, the church has a solemn procession of Candles and singing the Song of Simeon or “Nunc dimittis” and several other tunes of joy and acclamation.  The day is called Candlemas. 

Yesterday, I wrote a bit about participation.  The ritual purification was the way that Mary participated in what was required of her becasue she lived under the Law of the Lord.  By following the Law, she received so much more than a blessing of purification.  Mary received affirmation that she was the mother of the Holy One of God who will redeem Israel.  Little did she know of the great sacrifice that he would make no only for Israel, but for the whole world.  By marking and following the life of Christ through scripture, the Christian calendar is one way that we participate and learn what significant the holy stories have to say to us today. 

A way to participate and bring the story of the presentation forward is by participating in a solemn procession of lit candles into the church.  It becomes the engagement of scripture on a physical level through the liturgical rite.  This can be a lifting experience and have much meaning for us as we witness the light being shared and processed by us who are now bearers of the light.