It's Candlemas on Wednesday (Feb 2nd) - we'll be remembering it tomorrow (Sunday). The word comes from Candle Mass, when there was a special service to bless all church candles. I must admit I prefer blessing people to candles! But it originates from remembering when Christ was presented at the temple, 40 days after his birth as part of ritual purification rites. There in the temple was a devout Jew, Simeon, and the Holy Spirit revealed to him that this baby Jesus was the longed for Messiah, the one who was a light for Gentiles and Jews alike.
It's a moment to reflect on who we recognise Jesus to be - and to note that it's the Holy Spirit who reveals Jesus' identity to us - no one can say Jesus is Lord, except by the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 12: 3). More in our service on Sunday! But it's a moment to give thanks that Jesus brings light in darkness - that's why candles were blessed. Simeon 's last words to Mary after his recognition of Jesus' identity, were that 'a sword would pierce her soul' (Luke 2: 35). And so we move from Christmas, and start looking towards Lent and Easter, and the journey towards the cross.
The rest of the newsletter is here
