A Liturgical Note for You – Week of January 29
The Light of Our Lives
February 2nd is The Presentation of the Lord in the Temple. This is a Holy Day and, if it falls on a Sunday, it takes precedence over the usual Sunday worship. It is, however, never moved to a Sunday. Its day is February 2 — and that’s that, as the saying goes.
Even if you really like lighting candles and processing into the church, you don’t move the observance. You can certainly have a service on Monday to acknowledge this Holy Day. (Also, the Eve technically begins the new day, and so St. Luke’s Cathedral’s Evensong on February 1 will be a worship service for The Presentation of the Lord in the Temple.)
So why am I mentioning candles? Because the older name for this day of observance is Candlemas. Why? Read on…
Monday, February 2
Candlemas
This day marks The Presentation of the Lord in the Temple — the day when Mary went to the Temple for her purification rite, forty days after giving birth to Jesus. Simeon takes Jesus into his arms and names him “a light to enlighten the Gentiles.”
Fittingly, this day became the time when the candles to be used in the church throughout the coming year were dedicated to God’s use. Since this is a Holy Day marking a major event in the life of Christ, the liturgical colour is white.
On Candlemas night, many people place lighted candles in their windows. Over time, a number of customs and superstitions became attached to the day. Some believed candles would ward off evil spirits during the dark winter nights. Groundhog Day also has its roots in Candlemas, with weather predictions such as:
“If Candlemas Day be fair and bright,
Winter will have another fight.
If Candlemas Day brings cloud and rain,
Winter won’t come again.”
Other superstitions include beliefs about dripping candles, snowdrops, and death — which, according to these traditions, seems rather inevitable!
Apparently, Christmas decorations not taken down at Epiphany should remain until Candlemas Day. This is when decorations are taken down at Buckingham Palace and the Vatican.
A Candlemas Prayer
Glorious God, Simeon names Jesus “a light to enlighten the Gentiles.”
So may we be reminded by the light of the candle that Jesus is the light of salvation for the whole world, shining into the darkness — and the darkness cannot overcome it.
Guide us to bring his light into the world. Inspire us by your Holy Spirit to recognize him who is the glory of Israel and the light for all nations, your Son Jesus Christ, who reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God before all time, in our time, and always. Amen.
Bless this (these) candle(s) to our use, O Lord.
May they be your light in the darkness, hope for the weary,
and a sign of your reconciling love in the world. Amen.
The propers for this day may be found on p. 401 of the Book of Alternative Services.
For Your Devotions
Sunday, February 1 – Saturday, February 7
World Interfaith Harmony Week
Declared by the United Nations in 2010, this week seeks to foster dialogue and reconciliation among the world’s faiths. God desires love among all creation, and we are called to be ministers of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18–20).
Monday, February 2
The Presentation of the Lord in the Temple
Tuesday, February 3
Anskar, Missionary Bishop in Sweden (d. 865)
https://satucket.com/lectionary/Anskar.htm
Thursday, February 5
The Martyrs of Japan (1597)
https://satucket.com/lectionary/Japan_martyrs.htm
Written by the Rev. Susan Montague-Koyle