The Presentation of Our Lord falls forty days after the birth of Jesus as the church marks the day Mary and Joseph presented him in the temple in accordance with Jewish law. There they were greeted by Simeon, an aged priest who offered the song (known as the Nunc Dimitis) “Lord, now you let your servant depart in peace,” as well as by the prophet Anna, who spoke of the redemption of Israel.
The Presentation of Our Lord is referred to in some corners of the church as Candlemas because of an ancient tradition of blessing all the candles to be used in the church in the coming year on that day. It was a way of underscoring the truth of Simeon’s confession. His spontaneous song announces that this baby Jesus is “a light for revelation to the Gentiles” and a light for glory to Israel. This Sunday, may the light of every candle in church be a little epiphany of Jesus, the light of the world, and may the light of our lives be a little epiphany of God’s triumphant love in the dark corners of our world.