Many themes run through today’s feast of the Presentation of the Lord. As the scripture readings emphasis, Jesus as the hope of God’s people as the incarnate Son of God is presented to the people. The feast also remembers that on the fortieth day after the birth of a child a mother would be “purified” according the dictates of Jewish law. (Remember a similar custom in the Catholic Church called “churching?”) Today is also Candlemas Day — since Jesus is the “light to the nations” this was the traditional day to bless candles. One subtler theme is importance of women’s voices found in the presence of Anna the prophetess at the scene. She spoke about the child to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem.
