Let there be Light

“Let there be light” is one of the first acts of creation. God creates light in a place where there had been nothing. So the theme and use of light have been wrapped and bound with God, creation and humanity from the beginning. We see this threaded through the Old and New Testament scriptures. There is also a deep resonance and connection to light in daily rituals, living and worship. It is a sign of hope, of possibility, of beginnings and of healing. It connects to us on a level that is beyond words, often being of significance and comfort in times of loss and despair. Lights are also a sign of life and welcome. When entering a town or village as natural light fades, then it is the lights that come from the homes and houses that bids a welcome, a sign of life.

February brings with it the festival and season of Candlemas. The end of Epiphany, and for us this year a (very) short time before Lent. In All Saints and St Marys we have spanned this festival of Candlemas over the two weeks and so continue in this for the coming Sunday. Jesus is brought to the Temple by Mary and Joseph and there he is held by Simeon who makes proclaimations about the child Jesus and what he will be to people. “A Light to Lighten the Gentiles and for the glory of my People Israel”. The light that will bind the nations together. There is a tension in who Jesus is from the very beginning. He will be a figure who attracts both positive and negative reactions. He will bind together and yet also be the source of conflict. He will bring his friends, followers, family and mother both great joy and pain.

Candlemas is a betwixt and between time, and holds these tensions of hope and sorrow together. It has for me always been a significant festival to reflect on and listen to God in.

 

Join us for worship this weekend

 

10 am – Creative Church – St Marys – Candlemas Light

10.30am– Holy Communion with Band and Junior Church – All Saints

6.30pm – Candlemas Choral Evensong – St Marys

THE WEEK AHEAD

Monday 5th 20.00 – Celtic Evening Prayer (All Saints)

Wednesday 7^th              09.00 – Celtic Morning Prayer – All Saints

Thursday 8th                 10.00 – Holy Communion at St Mary’s Church

Saturday 10th Feb 12.00-2.00 – Saturday Lunches at St Marys Church

Sunday 11th Feb           10.00 – Sung Holy Communion St Marys

10.30 – Muddy Messy Church All Saints

19.15 – Generations – All Saints

“Simeon held the child in his arms and beheld his salvation: Anna gave thanks to God and proclaimed her redeemer”

Blessings

Lizzie