The Ouse Valley Benefice

Luke 2.22-40 - A Light to Lighten the Gentiles

As we celebrate the Feast of the Presentation of Christ, also known as Candlemas, we mark 40 days since Christmas - a vital turning point where we look back at the birth of Jesus and forward to his ministry. Fundamentally, this is a story about recognizing God in the midst of the ordinary.

Our Gospel reading tells us of Mary and Joseph bringing their baby, Jesus, to the temple for the purification rites, being faithful to the law. In today's service we have proud parents doing something similar in bringing thor child for baptism. 

Taking a newborn to the temple was an ordinary, everyday occurrence. Yet, in that ordinary moment, Jesus was recognized as God Himself.

It was there we meet two remarkable figures: Simeon, the righteous and devout man who had waited his whole life to see the Messiah, and Anna, the 84-year-old prophetess who never left the temple, worshipping day and night.

Simeon took the child in his arms and praised God, proclaiming: ‘Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, my eyes have seen your salvation; a light for the revelation to the Gentiles’. Anna, too, gave thanks and spoke about the child to all who were looking for redemption.

Their story reminds us that in our own moments of faithful, ordinary routine - whether it is bringing a child to baptism, gathering for worship, or simply praying - God can be revealed.

In baptism, we are called out of darkness and into God's marvellous light - a light for revelation to the Gentiles. The lighted candle given to the newly baptised signifies the light of Christ going with them, as we all affirm: ‘Shine as a light in the world to the glory of God the Father’.

As we witness a new generation begin this journey of faith, we can also use this opportunity to renew our own baptismal vows. We are all called to be the Simeons and Annas of the day: to welcome, to pray for, and to recognise the light of God within one another. We come to church because of salvation, a salvation we see made visible in the water of baptism, in the light of the candle, and in the community gathered to welcome a new life into God’s marvellous light. May we all go out into the world carrying that light, living in His peace. Amen.