Feast of the Presentation

According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, it’s not a coincidence that Groundhog Day and the Feast of the Presentation (or Candlemas) fall on the same day. On February 2, we are halfway between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. The ancient Celtic peoples of Europe celebrated this day with festivals of candles. Anticipating the planting of crops, it was important to know if spring would be early or late. If the sun was shining bright enough on the morning of the 2nd, so that a badger could see it, that was a sign of spring. When European settlers arrived here, they looked for native animal to make the forecast. (By the way, Punxsutawney Phil says that spring will come early.)

As the Church came on the scene, they took this celebration of light and applied it to the Presentation of the baby Jesus in the Temple at Jerusalem. As Luke tells the story, the old prophet Simeon recognized the Messiah in this infant, and sang of the child as a “light to lighten the Gentiles.” The old prophetess Anna also recognized the Messiah and proclaimed it to all who were there.

Here is a story to warm the heart with the light of hope. Of course, Joseph and Mary were there to fulfill the Law, that every firstborn child was to be sacrificed to the LORD; for the LORD had required the lives of Egypt’s firstborn when the Israelites were enslaved there. The LORD had freed them, so now the children of Israel were required to make the same sacrifice. Except that under the Law of Moses, a lamb or dove were to be offered in the child’s place. It is that sacrifice that Simeon alludes to when he warns Mary, “This boy is assigned to be the cause of the falling and rising of many in Israel and to be a sign that generates opposition so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your innermost being too. ”

Light gives warmth. It can also burn. Light gives guidance on our dark journey. It also purifies, like a kiln purifies clay. Sometimes, we need the light to console us, and to guide us. Sometimes we need that light to purify us. But we need never fear that light. One of my favorite lines from the Episcopal Hymnal reassures us on this feast of Light and Presentation: “When through fiery trials thy pathways shall lie, My grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply; The flame shall not hurt thee; I only design Thy dross to consume, and thy gold to refine.”

Whatever need you have of the Light this day, trust it.