Pew Sheet, Sunday, 2nd February, 2025 Candlemass The Presentation of Christ in the Temple

The fact that the scriptures record so

little about Jesus’ early life reminds us that the Gospels are not intended to be
read as biography or memoir, but as a series of accounts intended to show
how Jesus is different from any other child ever born, and underpin the claims
which both he, and others would make about him from the time of his birth to
the present day.
It is clear from the passage that while Jesus was born under the Law; and has
been brought to the Temple in order to meet its requirements in respect of
the sacrifices Mary and Joseph were required to offer; he had also come to
fulfil Old Testament prophecy stating that the Messiah, born of David’s line in
Bethlehem, would in due course redeem all humanity, starting with his own
people Israel, before extending to Gentiles too in due course.
Jesus frequently spoke about this theme during his lifetime when saying that
he had come to fulfil both the law and the prophets; highlighting the prophetic
nature of Simeon’s words when telling Mary and Joseph that the child would
utterly destroy the power of sin and its consequences – death (Romans 6:23),
though he does not quite spell out how this is to happen. He also tells them
that the child in their midst would be a stone upon which many in Israel would
stumble and fall whilst others would be lifted up, and many would reject Jesus’
teaching, though he would still bring life and light to the many.
Simeon’s words anticipate the cry of those who would shout “crucify him,
crucify him” as well as Gentile contemporaries such as Tacitus, Suetonius and
Pliny who derided Jesus and his followers after his death, and all who continue
to do so today.
Simeon then turns to Mary, sensing perhaps, that he was uniquely of her
“flesh and blood’ and not Joseph’s, or else realising that the events to which
he was alluding would not occur in Joseph’s lifetime. And the message he givesmust have left both Mary and those within earshot wondering what on earth he
meant when talking about a sword piercing her heart as a metaphor for the pain
she would endure at Jesus’ untimely death. It is not exactly the kind of message
you want to hear when you take your child for a dedication or a blessing, yet
Simeon, the faithful messenger, delivers the message he has been given in full.
He has deduced, even at this most tender of moments, that suffering lies behind
the work of redemption he foresees in this moment, before Anna too, picks up
her song of praise to God for the coming of Israel’s long promised Messiah.

Collect

Lord Jesus Christ,
light of the nations and the glory of Israel;
make your home among us;
and present us pure and holy
to your heavenly Father,
your God and our God.

Malachi 3:1-5

See, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me, and the Lord
whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple. The messenger of the
covenant in whom you delight—indeed, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts.
But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he
appears?
For he is like a refiner's fire and like fullers' soap; he will sit as a refiner and
purifier of silver, and he will purify the descendants of Levi and refine them like
gold and silver, until they present offerings to the Lord in righteousness. Then
the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the Lord as in the days
of old and as in former years.
Then I will draw near to you for judgement; I will be swift to bear witness
against the sorcerers, against the adulterers, against those who swear falsely,
against those who oppress the hired workers in their wages, the widow, and the
orphan, against those who thrust aside the alien, and do not fear me, says
the Lord of hosts.

Hebrews 2:14-end

Since, therefore, the children share flesh and blood, he himself likewise
shared the same things, so that through death he might destroy the one who
has the power of death, that is, the devil, and free those who all their lives
were held in slavery by the fear of death. For it is clear that he did not cometo help angels, but the descendants of Abraham. Therefore he had to become
like his brothers and sisters in every respect, so that he might be a merciful
and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make a sacrifice of atonement
for the sins of the people. Because he himself was tested by what he suffered,
he is able to help those who are being tested.

Luke 2:22-40.

When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they
brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the
law of the Lord, ‘Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the
Lord’), and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of
the Lord, ‘a pair of turtle-doves or two young pigeons.’
Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was
righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the
Holy Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that
he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Messiah. Guided by the
Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the
child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, Simeon took
him in his arms and praised God, saying:
‘Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace,
according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and for glory to your people Israel.’
And the child's father and mother were amazed at what was being said about
him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, ‘This child is
destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that
will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed. And a
sword will pierce your own soul too.’
There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of
Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband for seven years
after her marriage, then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left
the temple but worshipped there with fasting and prayer night and day. At
that moment she came and began to praise God and to speak about the
child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.When they had finished everything required by 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.

Post Communion Prayer

Lord, you fulfilled the hope of Simeon and Anna, who lived to welcome the
Messiah. May we, who have received these gifts beyond words prepare to
meet Christ Jesus when he comes to bring us to eternal life: for he is alive
and reigns with you, now and forever.

This Week’s Events

Monday (St Blaise of Sebastea (Armenia), Bishop and Martyr, 316)

Bell Ringing, 7.30pm in St Laurence. Contact Jan on 07835 461361.

Julian Prayer Group, 8pm on Zoom: ID: 996 4332 0665 and password: Julian.

Tuesday (Gilbert of Sempringham, Founder of the Gilbertines, 1189)

Zoom In Morning Prayer, 9am. Meeting ID: 748 9970 4493 password: Trinity

or contact Sue on [email protected]

Evening House Group, contact Jo on 07803 942 687 for more information.

Wednesday

Morning Coffee, 10.00-11.45am in the St Laurence Room.

Midday Communion, 12.00 noon in St Laurence Church.

Thursday (The Martyrs of Japan, 1597)

Daytime House Group, contact Jo on 07803 942 687 for more details.

Friday

Junior Choir at 6.30 pm followed by full Choir Practice at 7.30pm. Contact Derry

on [email protected] if you would like to join in this term.

Pastoral Care

Please call 07305 271 148 or email [email protected]

Winslow Parish News Needs You!
Our editor, Katy Slade is retiring as editor of Winslow
Parish News after many years’ faithful service, so we
are looking for someone with desktop publishing or
word processing skills to collate articles and prepare
a draft for our printer each month. You will work as
part of a small, close-knit team which manages other
aspects of magazine such as advertising, distribution,
finance and proof-reading for us. Please call Steve on
07305 271148 if you can help us continue producing
this valuable community asset!