Tomorrow is the feast of The Presentation of Christ in the Temple, more commonly known as Candlemas. It finally marks the end of the Christmas season - on Monday our Christmas trees will come down and our crib will be packed away for another year. It marks something of a turning point. After Candlemas, our minds quickly turn to Lent, Holy Week and Easter, which will be upon us before we know it. Ash Wednesday is on 18th February this year.
It is one of my favourite feasts (though I realise I seem to claim that about almost everything), in part, I think, because of the way it is portrayed in art. There are many beautiful paintings that depict the scene, like the one above by Rembrandt. Beauty is perhaps at the heart of the celebration. Simeon, the old man who recognises the infant Saviour has long been said to have been blind. Yet, he recognises Jesus for who he is, not by sight, but by the radiant beauty of his presence. The presence, of course, of God.
Beauty is often dismissed as being shallow or too subjective, and on an earthly level, it is. But divine beauty is intrinsically linked up in our theology, and our understanding of God. To reflect the divine beauty of our Creator perhaps our highest calling.
We are so looking forward to celebrating tomorrow, both with our Eucharists in the morning (8am and 10.15am) and with our Choral Evensong at 6pm. We would love to see you there.
With love and prayers,
Mthr Alice
