Grow Christians

Sharing Christ’s Light through Word and Deed

The Feast of the Presentation of our Lord, celebrated 40 days following the celebration of Christ’s birth, was first observed in Christian communities in Jerusalem as early as the fourth century. In the seventh century, it was introduced in Rome, including a processional canticle, Nunc Dimittis (BCP, p. 120) based on Simeon’s prayer of blessing. During this time, the celebration began to include a procession of candles and the blessing of candles for the home. It’s because of this tradition that today is also known as Candlemas. 

The Gospel of Luke shares the story of Jesus’ presentation in the temple following Jewish Law. Leviticus 12:1-8 instructs mothers to bring a lamb as a burnt offering and either a pigeon or turtledove as an offering for purification. If the mother could not afford a lamb, she could offer two pigeons or two turtledoves, as Mary did when presenting Jesus.

Jesus’ presentation in the temple was marked by the witness of Simeon and Anna. Luke’s gospel describes Simeon taking the baby in his arms and praising God, saying that his eyes had seen God’s salvation…a light for the revelation of the Gentiles and the glory of Israel. He then blessed the holy family and said to Mary, “This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your own soul, too.”

Though the words of Anna are not recorded by Luke, her witness is certainly described as being more vast and widespread in terms of audience. Anna was compelled by Simeon’s words to come toward the holy family and offer praise to God. She then spoke about the child to ALL who were looking for Jerusalem’s redemption. Anna’s words make her among the first of those who widely proclaimed the gospel of God’s redemptive work following the birth of the Christ Child.

Rembrandt, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

In our faithful observance of this feast, we may also remember another woman of faith whose witness resulted in our continued observance of this event. Egeria (also Etheria or Aetheria) was a Spanish/Roman pilgrim who visited the holy land in the fourth century and recorded early Church traditions for an entire year. Her witness of Christian practices is profoundly broad and includes notes on how Jerusalem churches observed the Daily Office, Holy Week, and various festivals. 

She records that the church in Jerusalem celebrated the Feast of the Presentation forty days after Epiphany, February 14, as Epiphany was when Christ’s birth was celebrated during this time. According to her account, this feast day began with a procession which was followed by reflections given by all the priests and the bishop, and concluded with the celebration of the holy Sacrament. She compares the joy of the entire celebration with that of Easter Sunday.

As we celebrate Candlemas and the Feast of the Presentation of our Lord, we honor the presence of Christ’s light among us—a light that illumines the world through the witness of our words and actions. Whether our words of witness are seemingly profound and soon recorded like Simeon’s, erased from history like Anna’s, or as transformative as Egeria’s, whose words shaped history centuries later, it is Christ’s light we share through both word and deed. In this light, we place our trust in God, hoping for the unity of all humanity— to become one in which we do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God.

Almighty God, whose will it is to be glorified in your saints and who raised up your servant Egeria to be a light in the world: Shine, we pray, in our hearts, that we also in our generation may show forth your praise, who called us out of darkness into your marvelous light; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Collect for Egeria written by the Rev. Canon Megan Castellan


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