I have to confess that my decorations came down on twelfth night, there’s little in my house to remind us of all we celebrated at Christmas, other than the odd chocolate or two – mostly the coconut ones to be fair! Here in church, we are still hanging on to those really important reminders – the guiding star that lights up, the crib, reminding us of Jesus’ birth and of course the important visitors from the East who came and paid homage to that little baby, bringing incredible gifts that showed us that he was the long-awaited Messiah. Today, as some pack away the last remnants that remind us of that very special birth, we celebrate Candlemas, and we think of the story of that little baby being presented in the temple. 

We’ve seen throughout the whole story of Mary and Joseph, right from the annunciation, that they are faithful people, listening and obeying all that God has asked of them, and now, following what is required of them by law, by Jewish law, they bring Jesus to the temple as the firstborn male, also bringing with them the required sacrifice to ensure Mary’s purification. Luke seems very keen to remind us many times that the law of Moses has been fulfilled by these new parents, this is probably to remind us that Jesus emerges out of Israel, out of Judaism, giving meaning to Christianity. 

And of course, we know that at the temple they meet the prophet Simeon, filled to the brim with the Holy Spirit. Can we imagine what the temple would have been like as they arrived, apparently two young insignificant parents amongst many, it would have been busy and chaotic, bustling with people, but Simeon’s attention is drawn to this couple, he just knows that this baby is different – the Holy Spirit is at work in him.

At my previous church, there’s a window that depicts this scene, you will see it on the little pictures I’ve passed around – I’ve long gazed at that window, for some reason it has always drawn my attention – I’ve often pondered the look on Simeon’s face as he holds the divine baby, glowing as the light of the world, knowing what this meant to him and wondering at his feelings. It tells us in the reading that Simeon was righteous and devout and he knew that he wouldn’t die until he had seen the messiah face to face – is this meeting what he expected? Did he imagine the Messiah would come as a baby; would he have ever dared to hope that he would hold him in his arms?  

Simeon then speaks words to God, saying that he can now go in peace, the thing he had waited for, the thing he had searched for, had been fulfilled on that day as he stood holding that holy baby. However, he goes on to share that the child, Jesus, is the salvation, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, a light for all of the non-Jewish people, – in that moment Simeon reveals that Christ has come for all of us, for each and every one of us, regardless of background. This is obviously wonderful news for us, and on that day Mary and Joseph are amazed at what they are hearing – they’ve been through incredible things in the previous months, but again they are speechless with surprise at all that Simeon says. 

Just as Simeon was praying, we heard that Anna, an elderly prophetess who never leaves the temple, and lives to worship, started to praise God and talk about the child to all who would listen, speaking of the redemption of Jerusalem. Anna prophesied that this child would redeem Israel. All her years of watching and waiting and fasting suddenly came to an end, as she told the people in the Temple who this child was. She knew Jesus would grow up to be the Saviour, that he would be the answer for those looking for redemption.

We don’t know how old Simeon was, but as he was talking about being released to die, it’s safe to assume that he was elderly. We know from the scripture that Anna was old, having lived 7 years as a wife and then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. These incredible prophets show us that faith is not a sprint; a relationship with Jesus isn’t created overnight. We’re so used to living a life of instant gratification these days that it is very easy to wonder why God isn’t answering our prayers, why we can’t hear what he’s saying to us because we simply don’t allow the time to pause, listen and pray. 

Simeon and Anna’s names are synonymous with patience, and faithfulness, their lives were spent watching and waiting, do we have something to learn from them? How might we seek to love and serve our Lord Jesus Christ? Do we have the genuine hope of Simeon – to see Jesus Christ for ourself? If so, how do we live that out? Where are we looking for Jesus? Hopefully not in a packed temple, but in our hearts and our heads as we shine the light of Jesus out of us in our day to day lives, as we pray and worship and read scripture. We do see Jesus every day, in acts of kindness, care and compassion. In the love that is shared amongst others, especially those on the margins, in the forgiveness that we offer. 

While Simeon could not die until he met the Messiah in person, we cannot really live unless we make space for Jesus in our lives. As we celebrate the light of Christ on Candlemas, let us think back to Simeon’s words where he told us that Christ was the light that had come for all, and as God calls us to greater heights of discipleship and service, let us think how we might share that light with others outside of the church. 

When we leave today it would be wonderful if everyone takes their picture of Simeon holding the ‘light of the world’ in his arms and also takes a small electric candle – then when you find some time and space to come before God, switch on the candle and ask God how you might share that light with others. 

As we pack away Christmas, and the Shepherds have gone back to the fields and the angels into heaven. The Magi have returned to the East – but God is still with us in Jesus and will be for our entire lives. Amen.

Service: Rev Rebecca Yates, 2nd February 2025. (St John’s Church Peterborough UK)

Reading: Luke 2:22-40