As some of you might know, I rather like Christmas!
Today, February 2nd, the Church celebrates the last feast related to Christmas – Candlemas (aka: The Purification of the Virgin and the Feast of the Presentation of Christ in the Temple).
It’s been forgotten by much of ‘evangelical’ Christianity and I think that’s a shame!
Candlemas is celebrated 40 days after Christmas and remembers the time, following the birth of Jesus, when He was taken by Mary & Joseph to the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem, according to Jewish laws, to be ‘officially presented’ and so Mary could be ritually purified, following child birth.
22 Then it was time for their purification offering, as required by the law of Moses after the birth of a child; so his parents took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord. 23 The law of the Lord says, “If a woman’s first child is a boy, he must be dedicated to the LORD.”
24 So they offered the sacrifice required in the law of the Lord—“either a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”
Luke 2:22-24 (NLT)
As a first son, Jesus had to be presented and ‘paid for’. First born sons belonged to God, so the parents had to symbolically ‘buy the baby back’. The amount that had to be paid for a baby was about 60 grams of silver.
Mary had to go to the temple to be symbolically made clean and pure for the blood that she had lost when she gave birth. To be made pure, a dove or other bird had to be sacrificed; and to be made clean, a lamb was sacrificed. However, if you were poor, a dove could be sacrificed instead of a lamb. That’s why a pair of doves or pigeons were sacrificed. Having been purified, Mary could then take part in temple services again.
It’s also the time when we meet two amazing elderly people – Simeon and Anna. They both spent their days in prayer and worship of God, waiting patiently for the day when he would send his Messiah. (Anna could have been up to 105 years old – as the Bible says she had been married for seven years and then a widow for 84. The earliest she probably would have married is 14, so add those together and you get 105!)
Simeon’s prophesy is one of my favourite Bible passages, speaking of Jesus’ future life and death (and even showing how people still view Jesus today) and also showing Simeon’s great faith in his God.
28 Simeon was there. He took the child in his arms and praised God, saying, 29 “Sovereign Lord, now let your servant die in peace, as you have promised. 30 I have seen your salvation, 31 which you have prepared for all people.32 He is a light to reveal God to the nations, and he is the glory of your people Israel!” 33 Jesus’ parents were amazed at what was being said about him.34 Then Simeon blessed them, and he said to Mary, the baby’s mother, “This child is destined to cause many in Israel to fall, but he will be a joy to many others. He has been sent as a sign from God, but many will oppose him. 35 As a result, the deepest thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your very soul.”
Luke 2:28-35 (NLT)
The name ‘candlemas’ comes from that it was the time when beeswax candles were blessed to be used during Church services throughout the coming year.
So, Happy Candlemas!
And as a Candlemas present to you, here’s the ‘Nunc Dimittis’ (the song of Simeon) by Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina, one of the best Renaissance composers (and one of my very favourites!).
[tentblogger-youtube o4_5Ke-hhOg]
Music doesn’t get much better than this – I hope you enjoyed it!
[Image Via Bob Embledon]
thyrkas says
Love this post, the message and the music! Thank you. Here in the US, Feb 2nd is primarily associated with Ground Hogs Day,one of the harbingers of spring, but Ground Hogs Day comes in dead last when compared to the celebration of and story behind Candlemas Day, imho. Wonderful version of the Nunc Dimittis, too. Thanks again!
James Cooper says
Really glad you enjoyed it! It’s a wonderful celebration but one that’s so often missed.