Calendar

Presentation of Christ in the Temple (40 Days after Christmas)

      This Feast Day recalls how forty days after His birth, Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to the temple for the rites of purification and dedication as prescribed by the Torah, and this is also the reason why this day is just as commonly called The Purification of Saint Mary the Virgin. According to the Book of Leviticus (12:1-4), when a woman bore a male child, she was considered “unclean” for seven days, and on the eighth day, her son was to be circumcised. The mother continued to stay at home for 33 days for her blood to be purified. Then, after the 40 days, the mother and the father came to the temple for the rite of purification, which included the offering of a sacrifice — a lamb for a whole-burnt offering and a pigeon or turtledove for a sin offering, or for a poor couple who could not afford a lamb, two pigeons or two turtledoves. Note Joseph and Mary made the offering of the poor (Lk 2:24).

      Furthermore, Simeon, a just and pious man, who was waiting for the Messiah and looking for the consolation of Israel, was led by the Spirit to come to the temple while Jesus was being presented. He held baby Jesus in his arms and blessed God, saying, “Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word. For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; to be a light to lighten the Gentiles, and to be the glory of thy people Israel” (Lk 2:29-32). Simeon, thereby, announced that the Messiah had come for all nations, and then he blessed the Holy Family (Lk 2:34-35). So, the Presentation is of Christ is most clearly a proclamation of Him as the Messiah of Israel and the Light for the Nations.

     For this reason, at least since the seventh century, candles for the nations and those that will be used throughout the year in the Church have traditionally been blessed at Mass on this day, hence gaining the nickname “Candle-Mass” (Well before this, however, candles had become a common symbol for Christ. As early as St Jerome in the fourth century, the supposed virginity of bees had led many to associate the wax of the candle with the flesh of Jesus Christ born of a Virgin Mother, while the wick of the candle came to symbolize His human soul and flame His divine nature united in One person).

Candlemas Day also was important in the lives of farmers. An old English song went as follows:

“If Candlemas be fair and bright:  * Come, Winter, have another flight.

If Candlemas brings clouds and rain: * Go, Winter, and come not again.”

So, if the bright sun “overshadows” the brightness of Candlemas Day, there will be more winter. However, if the light of Candlemas Day radiates through the gloom and darkness of the day, the end of winter is near.

The Collect.

ALMIGHTY and everliving God, we humbly beseech thy Majesty, that, as thy only-begotten Son was this day presented in the temple in substance of our flesh, so we may be presented unto thee with pure and clean hearts, by the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

For the Epistle. Malachi iii. 1.

BEHOLD, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts. But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' sope: and he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness. Then shall the offering of Judah and Jerusalem be pleasant unto the LORD, as in the days of old, and as in former years. And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger from his right, and fear not me, saith the LORD of hosts.

The Gospel. St. Luke ii. 22.

AND when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord; (as it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;) and to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtle-doves, or two young pigeons. And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ. And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: for mine eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel. And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him. And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against; (yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed. And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity; and she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem. And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth. And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.

Saint Blase (4th Century) is known for the blessing of throats, among other things.

According to pious legend, while bishop of Sebaste in Armenia, Blase (a.k.a. Blasius or Blaise) was martyred under the Roman Emperor Licinius in the early 4th century. He was possibly the son of wealthy Christian nobility. Before his martyrdom he lived in a cave and blessed sick and wounded animals, including cattle. Legend has it that a mother brought her son who was dying from choking on a fish or chicken bone, and Blase healed him. His intercessions are therefore sought by the sick, especially those with throat problems. He died a terrible death, having his flesh torn with wool-combs, and is therefore also the patron saint of woolcombers. As we are comforted by God in the midst of the perils of this life, may we also comfort others who suffer.

COLLECT.
O God, who makest us glad with the yearly festival of blessed Blase thy Martyr and Bishop: mercifully grant that, as we now observe his heavenly birthday; so we may likewise rejoice in his protection. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

This Office of Morning Prayer can be found on our Facebook livestream. Each episode will prefaced with an informal coffee talk about various and sundry topics, which starts at 8:00a.