When do you take down your decorations?

Stores seem to take them down on Boxing Day-ready for the Easter eggs! Many people take them down between Christmas and New Year. Many of us take them down at Epiphany, that time when we mark the arrival of the Magi. But there are others who leave theirs up until Candlemas, which we celebrate this Sunday. Why?

For centuries many Christians have observed Candlemas as the end of the Epiphany Season. It is the last iof the childhood/infancy stories of Jesus .Candlemas, also known as the Feast of the Presentation of Jesus Christ, the Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary, or the Feast of the Holy Encounter is a beautiful and deeply significant event,.

Under Leviticus 12, a woman was to be purified by presenting a lamb as a burnt offering, and either a young pigeon or dove as sin offering, 33 days after a boy’s circumcision. Jesus is the first born male, belonging to God, requiring  a ‘redemption‘ by presenting a sacrifice. So, this rite is a meshing together of religious observance and cultural rite within the Judaic community and society. The sacrifices themselves have a hierarchy based on wealth-the wealthier the family, the more valuable the animal that is sacrificed. Joseph and Mary show their poverty in only being able to offer the humblest, cheapest option. 

Yet this Judaic life event becomes something new, changed. Simeon and Anna , devout Jews who represent the nation of Israel, speak prophetic words over Jesus. Mary is given much to consider, the warning that she will experience agonising pain deep in her soul.. This is  key event, a standard event in Jewish life completely transformed. Whilst Jesus is at the centre of this account, it is Mary who emerges as a key figure, yet she says nothing at this time. As someone who has not shied away from talking with angels, this silence indicates a thoughtful processing, a dawning awareness of what her future holds. Much as thus story is centred on Jesus and what he will accomplish, it is also about Mary as she becomes the model disciple.

From this comes the long established tradition of blessing of candles. These candles symbolise Christ as the light of the world. Tradition has evolved that we bring candles to church to be blessed at this service or receive them during the service. It’s a celebration of this light that is now dawning amongst us and the candles take that symbolic light out into the world.

So, as we celebrate Candlemas this weekend with the lighting and blessing of candles we rejoice in Christ being the light of the world and remember that candles are sources of light and warmth, and constant reminder of the eternal light and warmth of Jesus and the work of the Holy Spirit illuminating our lives.

Sunday 28 January Candlemas

08.00am Said Holy Communion (All Saints)

10.00am Sung Holy Communion (St Marys)

10.30am Café Church – The book of Samuel (All Saints)

The Week Ahead

Monday 29th Jan

• 20.00 – Celtic Evening Prayer - All Saints

Wednesday 31st Jan                                                        

• 9.00 – Celtic Morning Prayer – All Saints

Thursday 1st Feb

• 10.00 – Holy Communion at St Mary’s Church                                                        

Saturday 3rd Feb

• 12.00-2.00 – Saturday Lunches at St Marys Church
• 2.30pm – Organ Open Afternoon at St Marys Church                                                                                     

Sunday 4th Feb

• 10.00 – Creative Church St Marys
• 10.30 – Holy Communion with Band and JC at All Saints
• 18.30 – Choral Evensong – St Marys

May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all evermore. Amen

Blessings

Revd Kester de Oliveira