The Feast of the Presentation

Today, forty days after Christmas, we celebrate the Presentation of Christ in the temple.  When Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to the temple for the traditional dedication, they found Simeon and Anna waiting there, hoping to see the Christ.  Upon seeing Jesus, Simeon prayed to God--

Now, Master, you may let your servant go
in peace, according to your word,
for my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you prepared in the sight of all the peoples:
a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and glory for your people Israel.

Simeon recognized Jesus as the Light of the world!  Because of this, we traditionally bless candles on this day and celebrate Jesus being our Eternal Light!  In fact, some people refer to this holy day as "Candlemas."  Some of the candles that we bless today will be used tomorrow, on the Feast of St. Blaise, for the blessing of throats.

Let us look for opportunities today to reflect the light of Christ to those around us!