Malachi 3:1-4; Psalm 24 Who is this King of Glory; it is the Lord; Hebrews 2:14-18;
Today we celebrate the presentation of the Lord. 40 days after the birth of Jesus, Mary and Joseph bring their child to the temple for the ritual of purification. Mary is purified by presenting her son to the Lord.
The Mosaic law called for the redemption of the first male to open the womb. The one born to be the redeemer of all man is to be redeemed by pair of turtledoves.
What beautiful imagery!
Simeon says Jesus shall be a sign of contradiction. Already at the presentation it begins.
The one who comes to redeem and purify must first undergo the ritual of redemption.
In the Greek speaking world this feast is called Hypapanti, the encounter. The focus is on Jesus encountering Simeon. In that encounter hope burst forth, a hope not just for the individual but hope for the world, "my eyes have seen your salvation, which you prepared in the sight of all the people, a light for revelation to the gentiles, and glory for your people Israel."
Thus the light for revelation dawns! This is why we celebrate candlemas day. The light comes to purify the world. The warm candlelight is meant to be a tangible reminder of that greater light that radiate from the figure of Jesus.
The chaos of the world encounters the purifying power and brightness of the Christian message, the person of Christ, the one who is to purify all of us.
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