All of the TV “newscasts” took us out to Pennsylvania to have a peak at Punxsutawney Phil’s prognostication regarding winter’s length. Thanks to Peta’s suggestion to substitute a mechanical groundhog, the whole thing seems to have had more coverage than usual. Personally, I’ve never been moved to hold a woodchuck in my hands.
On this day the church doesn’t go hunting for groundhog shadows. Instead, according to the Introit for the day, we give our attention to the temple in Jerusalem. “We have thought on your steadfast love, O God, in the midst of your temple (PS. 48:9).
Today is the Purification of Mary and the Presentation of Our Lord. According Leviticus 12 a woman was unclean for seven days after giving birth to a male child. On the eighth day the boy was to be circumcised. Jesus had already been circumcised and at that time he was officially given the name Jesus (Luke 2:21). January 1st is the day of Circumcision and Naming of Jesus. On the fortieth day, the mother returned to the temple to be declared ritually pure and to present the firstborn son to God.
Jesus, the first son, belonged to God in a special way. He was God’s Son, whom God had sent into the world as the light of salvation for both Gentile and Jew. Simeon sang that now he was ready to leave this earthly coil. Anna gave thanks to God and became an evangelist speaking of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.
Today is also known as Candlemas, after a line in an old reading from Zephaniah, “I will search Jerusalem with candles.” It became a day on which the candles used to light the house and the church was blessed. Of course Jesus is the Light that enlightens all nations, not from one year to the next, but for all the years of our life and beyond.
Collect of the Day
Almighty and ever-living God, as Your only-begotten Son was this day presented in the temple in the substance of our flesh, grant that we may be presented to You with pure and clean hearts; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Comments