CANDLEMAS

 

Psalm 118: 19 

Open to me the gates of righteousness,
   that I may enter through them
   and give thanks to the Lord. 

Almighty Father, whose Son Jesus Christ was presented in the Temple and acclaimed the light of the nations: grant that in him we may be presented to you and in the world may reflect his glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God now and for ever. Amen. 


The Lord is the strength of my life
The Lord is my light and my salvation 
Jesus Christ is the light of the world
 

A light which no darkness can quench

 

Hymn – Christ is the world’s light www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tkmod9AW99s

   1      Christ is the world's light, Christ and none other;
           born in our darkness, he became our brother.
           If we have seen him, we have seen the Father:
           glory to God on high.

   2      Christ is the world's Peace, Christ and none other;
           no one can serve him and despise another;
           who else unites us, one in God the Father?
           Glory to God on high.

   3      Christ is the world's Life, Christ and none other;
           sold once for silver, murdered here, our brother —
           he, who redeems us, reigns with God the Father:
           glory to God on high.

   4      Give God the glory, God and none other;
           give God the glory, Spirit, Son, and Father;
           give God the glory, God with us, my brother:
           glory to God on high.

Fred Pratt Green (1903–2000)

 

Prayer

Everlasting God, we celebrate your coming into the world in Jesus Christ, and that your light continues to shine through him.

We praise you that Anna and Simeon recognised his light, that so many people recognised his light during his ministry, and throughout history, and continue to do so today, and particularly at this time when the world seems so dark.

We thank you that you continue to shine in our lives today, inviting us to bring our hopes, our fears and concerns to you, knowing that you will always meet our needs, that nothing and nobody is beyond your power to transform.

Fill us now, with the light of Christ, that it may illumine our lives, and guide our footsteps, that we might live as a lamp to others, and bring glory to your name.

Receive our worship, and shine in our lives today, for we ask it in the name of Jesus.  Amen

Reading - Luke 2: 22-40 - Jesus Is Presented in the Temple

22 When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord²³(as it is written in the law of the Lord, ‘Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord’), ²⁴and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, ‘a pair of turtle-doves or two young pigeons.’

25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. ²⁶It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. ²⁷Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, ²⁸Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying, 
²⁹ ‘Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace,
   according to your word; 
³⁰ for my eyes have seen your salvation, 
³¹   which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, 
³² a light for revelation to the Gentiles
   and for glory to your people Israel.’

33 And the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. ³⁴Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, ‘This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed ³⁵so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your own soul too.’

36 There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband for seven years after her marriage, ³⁷then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshipped there with fasting and prayer night and day. ³⁸At that moment she came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.

The Return to Nazareth

39 When they had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. ⁴⁰The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favour of God was upon him.

 

Reflection

In the midst of this pandemic, there is much talk about the world being a dark, scary place.  Darkness suggests fear, loss and loneliness.  But John’s gospel recalls Jesus describing himself as, “I am the light of the world.  Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” (John 8: 12), which is a message of hope for us today, and is at the root of the celebration of Candlemas.

Light is a useful symbol for Christ, as it brings thoughts of comfort, warmth, security and safety to an otherwise bleak existence.  It is rare that we ever find ourselves in complete darkness, for even the tiniest flame of light can be seen in a large space, and banishes the total darkness.

I remember being on holiday in Andorra a few years ago, and at the top of the mountains, the stars in the night sky were incredible to see.  Sometimes, even in the midst of total darkness, those tiny points of light, so far away, can be seen ever more clearly.

In our gospel reading, Luke records Mary and Joseph taking Jesus to Jerusalem, and taking part in the dedication rituals following the birth of their child.  It seems ironic that the Son of God, who is God, should be dedicated to God in this way.  Luke doesn’t see the need to describe the ritual in any detail, but makes a point of noting the sacrifice of a pair of pigeons.  In the hierarchy of animal sacrifice at that time, pigeons were on the bottom rung of the ladder, confirming Mary and Joseph’s humble means.

Whilst in the Temple, the family are approached by Simeon who sees in Jesus the fulfilment of prophecy recorded in Isaiah.  Verses 29-32 form what is now known as the Nunc Dimittis, a hymn often sung at evening services, the opening words of which means quite simply, “now I can die in peace”.  Simeon has witnessed the Lord’s salvation, which will come about through Jesus,  and is to be shared not only with the Jews, but also with the Gentiles i.e. the world outside of Israel and the Jewish tradition.  This highlights the universality of the gospel message which Jesus will bring, although Israel’s place will not be lost.

In referring to Jesus as “a light”, Simeon refers also to prophecy about the Messiah recorded in Isaiah 49:6 “I will give you as a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth”, and Isaiah 42: 6 “I have given you as a Covenant to the people, a light to the nations, to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness.”

If we refer back to these passages in Isaiah, it is clear that the light will be given for a very specific purpose.  Today we light a candle for its decorative properties, or for the aroma it infuses into a room, and forget that before the invention of electricity, a candle was the only means by which people could see after dark.  Jesus is given to us, not for decoration, but for the practical purpose of dispelling the darkness, and enabling us to see.  Light is a revelatory experience, revealing what the darkness otherwise hides.  Light enables us to live, to work, to appreciate all that is around us, to be safe and free from danger.  That is the power of the light, and the power of God’s salvation, to dispell the darkness, to enable the blind to see.  And that light of God is recognised by Simeon in the face of the baby Jesus.

If you find yourself alone and afraid, light a candle and gaze into its flame in the quiet, and notice that the room isn’t quite so dark after all.

I doubt that many of you still have your Christmas decorations up.  But officially the season of Christmas does not end until Candlemas, so continue to enjoy your Christmas lights for a few more days.

Amen

The Candlemas Prayer 

Lord God, you are the source of everlasting light.
Your son, our beloved Lord Jesus was presented in the temple 40 days after his birth.  He was recognised by Simeon and Anna, and welcomed as the promised Messiah.  May we, like them, behold the glory of the Lord Jesus.

Grant that we may stand before you with hearts cleansed by your forgiving love.  May we serve you all our days and make your name known 
as we worship you as our Lord. 

So may we come by your grace to eternal life.
Amen. 
 

Intercessions & Lords Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ, you are the light of the world, and you transform the darkness of human lives with the light of your salvation. 

So we pray that your transforming light would drive out darkness and fear and bring hope to the lives of those who do not know your presence with them.

We pray for places in our world where there is anger and bitterness, where the demands of justice are obscured by individual, national and racial selfishness. 

We ask Lord Jesus, that your light would penetrate those dark places which cause people to hate, and transform fear into trust. That the world would awake from the darkness of winter and come into the dawn of your presence. 

Lord, in your mercy: hear our prayer.

Lord Jesus Christ, for our sake you became poor, you suffered and endured pain in human flesh.  Look with pity on those who suffer, be merciful to those who are in need. 

We pray for the broken hearted, that you would bind up their sorrows

We pray for the sick, that you would heal their infirmities.

We pray for the lonely, that in you they would discover the perfect friend.

We pray for the bereaved, that in the midst of unfathomable loss they would know the depths of your love.

Lord, in your mercy: hear our prayer.

Jesus Christ is the light of the world, a light which no darkness can quench. We light a candle to symbolise the light of Christ, which eternally shines and brings hope.

We pray for our families and friends, and for all those in need at this present time

We pray for the churches in our Circuit, this week for Paulton, and for Martin as he ministers in that place. 

Lord Jesus, hear our prayer for all who seek purpose, help, guidance, strength and mercy.  May they find in you the answer to their prayer.

Merciful Father,

Accept these prayers for the sake of your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ.

Amen.

Let us pray with confidence as our Saviour has taught us

 

Our Father, who art in heaven,

hallowed be thy name;

thy kingdom come;

thy will be done;

on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our trespasses,

as we forgive those who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation;

but deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom,

the power, and the glory

for ever and ever.

Amen.

 

And so, in these last few days of this Christmas season, we close our worship by singing the last carol for this year.

 

Hymn – Born in the night www.youtube.com/watch?v=gP2_amxU9vY

   1      Born in the night,
           Mary’s Child,
           a long way from your home;
           coming in need,
           Mary’s Child,
           born in a borrowed room.

   2      Clear shining light,
           Mary’s Child,
           your face lights up our way;
           light of the world,
           Mary’s Child,
           dawn on our darkened day.

   3      Truth of our life,
           Mary’s Child,
           you tell us God is good;
           prove it is true,
           Mary’s Child,
           go to your cross of wood.

   4      Hope of the world,
           Mary’s Child,
           you’re coming soon to reign;
           King of the earth,
           Mary’s Child,
           walk in our streets again.

Geoffrey Ainger (b. 1925)

Blessing

Go in the light and peace of Christ to love and serve the Lord.
Thanks be to God. Amen.

And the blessing of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, be with you, now and forever more.  Amen

 

 

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