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Today is the feast of the Presentation of the Lord in the Temple. It is also known as Candlemas.The observance of Candlemas finds some of its elements, as do some other Christian festivals, in Paganism. In pre-Christian times it was known as the Festival of Lights, and celebrated the increasing light becoming more noticeable at the transitional mid-point between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. A time that consists of both shadow and light.People believed that Candlemas predicted the weather for the rest of the winter. Perhaps you have heard the poem:If Candlemas day be fair and brightWinter will have another flightIf Candlemas day be shower and rainWinter is gone and will not come again.And yes, the theme might sound quite familiar, after all Feb 2nd is also Groundhog Day. Ironic, don’t you think. Shadow and light. Candlemas, this Christian festival of Light can be traced to at least 543 CE. In the Anglican tradition, this was the day when all of the candles used in the church for the new year, and often those used in people’s homes, were blessed. Candles were lit and carried from the church to the home and often lights were placed in the windows of houses to proclaim the Light that has come into the world. For us it is a pivotal point in the Church year. We are seeing the last vestiges of Christmas light, and turn toward the shadows of Lent and move a little closer to the cross. This day marks forty days after the birth of Jesus. It’s a major feast day in the Church where we commemorate the Presentation of the Lord in the Temple. It is also the known as the Purification of Mary. Mary and Joseph, being devout Jews, fulfill their obligation to follow the law set in the Book of Leviticus. First, their son is circumcised and named by his father. Then they travel to the Temple so that Mary might begiven the rite of purification. Women were not allowed to enter the Temple for a period of time after giving birth and were required to be ritually purified by a priest before she could worship with the community in the Temple. They bring two birds present in the Temple, both to satisfy the offering. They are also required to bring their first born (male child) to the Temple. According to the law all first born males belong to God. Offerings of pieces of silver were the typical offering to “purchase back” the child. Though we don’t hear this in the Gospel, we might assume that Mary and Joseph satisfied this requirement in some manner, perhaps with another pair of pigeons.When they arrive at the Temple, they are likely there with many people. There are vendors selling animals and birds for offerings for various rites. So many people, so much activity. Who would notice just another poor devout family fulfilling the obligations of faith and Law? We hear today in our reading from Malachi, “Thus says the Lord, See, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me, and the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple.” Two people do notice. Simeon and Anna. Both are old, very old. Anna has spent nearly 60 years living in the temple – fasting and praying for the redemption of Jerusalem. Eastern orthodox tradition tells that Simeon was over 200 years old and was blind. He awaits the Light, the “consolation”, the Messiah, that will bring comfort to Israel. These two had been waiting for most of their lives. Such patience. Anna and Simeon are open and expectant. They expect that God will fulfill what God has promised. Simeon is told by the Holy Spirit that he would not die until he had seen the Lord. He is blind, and yet, he declares, “my eyes have seen your salvation”. If he was truly blind, how the did he see? Michael Marsh writes, “Yes, Simeon was blind. Yes, Simeon saw salvation. But he did not see with physical eyes. He saw with the eyes of his heart. Simeon experienced and inner seeing. Christ is both the Light we see and the Illumination by which we see.”Simeon raises up the child for all to see. I am struck by the picture of this very elderly man, lifting up this child, declaring the miracle of the One that brings our salvation. He cannot hold back his excitement, this moment he has anticipated for so long.Do you know the scene in the animated film, The Lion King, when the Holy Man stands on the cliff’s edge, holding aloft the young cub Simba for the whole gathering of the creatures below? It is so reminiscent of what we see today. I imagine that’s not by mistake, though I could find nothing specific. The parents stand behind him as he presents to the masses below their future king, and the song plays majestically in the background. “In the circle of lifeIt's the wheel of fortuneIt's the leap of faithIt's the band of hope'Til we find our placeOn the path unwindingIn the circle, the circle of life”The clouds open up and the light shines through on the royal family, as each group of creatures bends the knee in homage. This moment with Simeon must have been both shocking and thrilling for the parents of Jesus. A strange person takes their son from them and bursts into a joyous song, declaring their baby boy is a “Light to enlighten the Gentiles: and to be the glory of Israel”. He holds forth the child for us, that we might be amazed and inspired, that we might fall to our knees in worship and praise.And for Mary, there is shadow that accompanies this moment. It would be easy for us to set this aside for another time, a reflection for another day. After all, it’s Candlemas; let’s only talk about light today. But, Simeon reminds us of the very nature of light, to illuminate, to shine, even in the shadowy dark corners of the world. For many, in Jesus’ time and in our own, the light shining in the darkness will be quite discomforting. Simeon prophecies, “The thoughts of many hearts will be revealed” , and “many will rise and fall”. Mary’s own soul will be pierced too as her son carries out his ministry and purpose.Taking again from the passage we heard from Isaiah last Sunday, John the Baptist proclaims in the first chapter of Luke: “By the tender mercy of our God,The dawn from on high will break upon usTo light to those who sit in darknessAnd the shadow of death,To guide our feet into the way of peace.Let us walk in the way of the Lord.” (1:78-79)So, on this ancient feast day of the Church, we light candles to remember that the light coming into the darkness is not our own. We light candles today because there are times our world is dark, and there are times our hearts need a bit more light to chase away the shadows. Today we celebrate a light that inflames candles of good will and hope in us. It is the light that shines in the darkness and the darkness does not overcome it.Amen. ................
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