My eyes have seen your salvation

Presentation of the Lord

On today’s Feast we contemplate the Lord Jesus, whom Mary and Joseph bring to the Temple “to present him to the Lord.” It has deep historical roots and is part of the Jewish tradition of presenting their first born to God.  

In the book of Exodus it is stated that all first born male children must be consecrated to God. Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to the Temple to fulfil this requirement. It is the meeting point of the Old and New Testaments. Jesus enters the ancient Temple whilst he himself is the new Temple of God. Jesus visits his people fulfilling the Law and ushering in the last times of Salvation. By doing this Mary and Joseph were acknowledging Jesus’ divine mission and surrendering him to God’s will. It was an act of obedience and devotion and an example of how we should offer ourselves and our families to God, and trust in his plan for our lives. We should continually present ourselves to God, seeking his guidance and purification. 

It is interesting to note that whilst the Temple was a busy place full of Priests and Levites doing their jobs as well as pilgrims seeking to encounter the Holy God of Israel. Only two elderly people took notice of the baby whom Mary and Joseph presented that day. Simeon and Anna recognize the signs and special presence of the Messiah and Saviour. They see the great newness and led by the Holy Spirit they find in the child Jesus the fulfilment of their long waiting and watchfulness. Simeon identifies the child as “a light for revelation to the Gentiles” his words affirmed the fulfilment of prophesies and the significance of Jesus mission. Anna a prophetess who dedicated her life to prayer and worship recognized Jesus as the redemption of Jerusalem and shared the good news with everyone.  

The Feast is also known as CANDLEMAS and the symbolism of light highlights Simeon’s words. Jesus’ divine light brings salvation to all people not just to the Israelites. The blessing and lighting of candles symbolises the presence of Christ who lights up our lives and dispels darkness. We are reminded of the light which Jesus brings to guide us on our spiritual journey. May his light always guide us in our daily family lives and inspire us to share Jesus’ love, light and truth with all members of our families and friends.  

A reading from the Gospel of Luke (Lk 2: 22-40) 

When the days were completed for their purification according to the law of Moses, Mary and Joseph took Jesus up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, just as it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord, and to offer the sacrifice of a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons, in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord. Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, awaiting the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Christ of the Lord. He came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform the custom of the law in regard to him, he took him into his arms and blessed God, saying: “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.” 

The child’s father and mother were amazed at what was said about him, and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted -and you yourself a sword will pierce, so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived seven years with her husband after her marriage, and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. 

She never left the temple, but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer. And coming forward at that very time, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem. When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions of the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom, and the favour of God was upon him. 

The Gospel of the Lord
Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ

  1. Read the Gospel story so that you are familiar with it.
  2. Reflect on what the Gospel is saying to you. Which points would you highlight and why?
  3. The role of Simeon and Anna teaches us the importance of wisdom and patience in our own faith journey and in our families. Do I trust in God’s promises like Simeon? Do I spend enough time in prayer and devotion towards God like Anna?  
  4. This act of presentation invites us as Christians to take a look at our own lives and our relationship with God. Am I willing to offer my talents, time and resources to serve God and others? 
  5. Together with your family find the right time to read this Gospel. The environment helps, so before you start, prepare; 
    i. The Bible reading from St Luke (Lk2: 22-40) 
    ii. A candle
    iii. Cover the table with a white cloth
    iv. A computer/laptop with the reading and clips
    v. Go through the steps with your children (2 age groups are being suggested)
  6. Feel free to adapt to your situation
  7. Be creative 😊 

Forty days after Christmas on 2nd February every year the Church celebrates something that happened to Jesus as a baby. Mary and Joseph took him to the Temple in Jerusalem and presented him to God. We read about it only in Luke’s Gospel. 

  • The candle we receive at our Baptism is a reminder of the light of Jesus. 
  • Jesus is our guiding light and our Saviour. 
  • Empty toilet roll. 
  • White kitchen paper/paper napkin 
  • Glue/ scissors 
  • Coloured craft card, yellow and orange. 
  • Holy picture of Jesus 

A few days after Jesus was born, Mary and Joseph took Him to the temple to dedicate Him to God. A man called Simeon was in the temple as usual. As soon as Simeon saw baby Jesus, he knew God had kept His promise to send a Saviour. Simeon took Jesus in his arms and praised God, saying, “Lord, now let your servant die in peace. As you have promised, I have seen your salvation, which you have prepared for all people.” 

Anna was a prophetess who was also in the Temple. She was always at the Temple worshiping and praying. When she heard what Simeon was saying, she praised God and told everyone that Jesus was the Savior that God had promised. These two people realised that Jesus was a very special child, He was the one who would save us from our sins.  

Do you know that we also call this day Candlemass? In the past candlelit processions were held on this day and the candles to be used throughout the year in the churches are blessed. We use candles to represent the light of Christ just like the candle lit by your parents at your Baptism Jesus shows us how to live by shining His light for us.   

You can make your very own Candlemass candle out of an empty toilet roll.  

Take the empty roll and cover the outside in glue then carefully cover the roll with the white paper napkin/kitchen paper or even white tissue paper. Tuck the extra inside the top and bottom of the roll. Leave it to dry. Next cut out a circle of yellow card and a small orange flame shape and stick it on to the centre of the circle. This is going to be the flame. Cut two slits on one end of the covered toilet roll and slot your circle into the slits. Finally glue the picture of Jesus onto the front of your candle. You can keep it in your room or if you have a prayer table at home place it there. 

Whilst making your candle listen to the song, This Little Light of Mine.

Sign of the cross 

Dear Father, as you are faithful in keeping your promises to us, may we be faithful in keeping our promises to you. May I shine your light for others to see.  

In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen. 

Mary and Joseph presented their baby son to God as an act of thanksgiving and met the prophets Simeon and Anna. Simeon blessed Jesus and called him ‘a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel’. 

  • Jesus is Light of the world 
  • Jesus came to save everyone 
  • a babydoll
  •  a blanket/shawl 
  •  a candle 
  •  a cross 
  •  a globe/map of the world 
  • picture of Jesus as a grown man.  
  • building blocks 

Thousands of years before Jesus was born, God gave Moses a list of rules. They said that every firstborn son should be brought to the Temple to be blessed. So, Mary and Joseph took baby, Jesus, to the Temple in Jerusalem. Build Temple with building blocks. 

Simeon lived in Jerusalem. He was a good man, who prayed every day for his country, Israel. The Holy Spirit had told Simeon that he would not die before he saw the Messiah. Bring hands together in prayer. The Holy Spirit led Simeon to the Temple, where he met Mary and Joseph. He saw their baby son Jesus and took him in his arms. Cradle the baby doll tenderly in your arms. Look down at the baby and smile. 

Then, to Mary and Joseph’s amazement, Simeon began to praise God for their child. Lift the doll up, lift your head and eyes upwards and smile. 

Simeon said, ‘Master, now you can let me go in peace; I have seen your plan to save the world with my own eyes.’ 

Cradle the doll in one arm and hold up a world globe or map in the other. Look down at the baby. 

‘Everyone will see what you’ve done; your plan will be a light which reveals you to all nations and brings glory to Israel.’ Cradle the doll in one arm and hold the candle in your other hand. Look down at the baby. 

Mary and Joseph were speechless with surprise. Simeon blessed them both, then he said to Mary, ‘Although this child will save many, others will be against him. Your own soul will feel like it’s been pierced by a sword.’ Cradle the doll in one arm and hold a wooden cross in the other hand. Look down at the baby. 

At that moment, an old prophetess called Anna, who prayed and worshipped in the Temple, day and night, came and joined Mary, Joseph and Simeon. Bring hands together in prayer. 

She also started praising God for Jesus, then began telling people about him, saying that he would save Jerusalem. 

Lift arms up praising God and then open arms wide. 

Having followed all the rules that God had given to Moses, Mary and Joseph went home to Nazareth. Jesus grew up to be strong and wise and God was pleased with him. Show the picture of Jesus as a grown man. 

Today 2nd February the Church celebrates Candlemas, 40 days after the birth of Jesus, to remember when Mary and Joseph went to the Temple in Jerusalem for ritual purification. In pre-Christian times, this date was a festival of light, as it marked the mid-point of winter, halfway between the shortest day of the year and the spring equinox. At Candlemas, Christians have traditionally blessed candles to be used in church in the coming year.  

Sign of the cross.

Dear Jesus, thank you for your light. Thank you that your light shines in each of us. Thank you that your light shines in (insert name). God bless: (insert name). Thank you, God, for your blessing. 
Amen.  

How to use this space

God speaks to us in many ways, including through the Sunday Scripture readings. Here you will find useful background and activities to better understand the upcoming Sunday's Scripture readings, helping you to connect the Scripture to daily life in a meaningful way.