Year A
Presentation of Jesus
Images
We
are a gift for Jesus
Points to note
This is a
feast that comes with interesting stories children can identify with (see end
panel) but the reading itself is laden with theological points about adherence
to Jewish laws.
I
will focus on the broader theme that Jewish laws require parents to give over
their first born to God, echoing Abraham’s sacrifice of Isaac.
Liturgy
Acclamation
before the Gospel
Alleluia, alleluia!
The light to enlighten the Gentiles
and give glory to Israel,
your people.
Alleluia!
Gospel
Introduce the feast to the children and
explain the Jewish laws regarding purification after childbirth (details in end
panel).
The Lord be with you.
All:
And also with your spirit.
A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St Matthew
All:
Glory to you O Lord
(Lk
2:22-40)
When the day came for them to be purified as laid down by the Law of
Moses, the parents of Jesus took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the
Lord, – observing what stands written in the Law of the Lord: Every
first-born male must be consecrated to the Lord – and also to offer in
sacrifice, in accordance with what is said in the Law of the Lord, a pair of
turtledoves or two young pigeons.
Now in Jerusalem there was a man named Simeon. He was an upright and
devout man; he looked forward to Israel’s comforting and the Holy Spirit rested
on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see
death until he had set eyes on the Christ of the Lord. Prompted by the Spirit
he came to the Temple and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for
him what the Law required, he took him into his arms and blessed God; and he
said:
‘Now, Master, you can let your servant go in peace,
just as you promised;
because my eyes have seen the salvation
which you have prepared for all the nations to see,
a light to enlighten the pagans
and the glory of your people Israel.’
As the child’s father and mother stood there wondering at the things
that were being said about him, Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his
mother, ‘You see this child: he is destined for the fall and for the rising of
many in Israel, destined to be a sign that is rejected – and a sword will
pierce your own soul too – so that the secret thoughts of many may be laid
bare.’
There was a prophetess also, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe
of Asher. She was well on in years. Her days of girlhood over, she had been
married for seven years before becoming a widow. She was now eighty-four years
old and never left the Temple, serving God night and day with fasting and prayer.
She came by just at that moment and began to praise God; and she spoke of the
child to all who looked forward to the deliverance of Jerusalem.
When they had done everything
the Law of the Lord required, they went back to Galilee, to their own town of
Nazareth. Meanwhile the child grew to maturity, and he was filled with wisdom;
and God’s favour was with him.
This
is the Good News of the Lord
Dialogue
Today
is the feast of Jesus being circumcised, the Jewish equivalent of baptism of a
baby. What gift would you give to Baby
Jesus on his baptism/circumcision? Let the children talk about the various
gifts they would bring to such a party.
Discuss how they would package up or wrap the gift.
What
if you are the gift to Jesus instead?
How would you be packaged? Move the discussion slowly from wrapping up
the person in wrapping paper to wrapping ourselves up in Christian
virtues. What kind of person should we
be if we want Jesus to accept us as a gift?
Explain that this feast is celebrated
40 days after the birth of Jesus and that we bless candles on this day. Jesus gave himself to us as a gift on
Christmas Day. We treat his coming with
candles 40 days later as the Light of the World, which is his gift to us.
Discuss what object we would choose to
be if we were to be given to Jesus.
Would it be something rich or luxurious?
Would it be something useful or helpful?
Would it be something symbolic – like a mirror to reflect the Light of
the World to the world?
If you have time, you can explain about
Candlemas and its practices – see end panel.
FEAST
of the PRESENTATION
This is one of the Great Feasts of the Church, being
the presentation of Jesus at the Temple in accordance with Jewish purification
laws. Jewish laws requires new-born baby
boys to be presented to the Temple 40 days after they are born, which also
marks the end of the 40 days of purification of the mother, who is considered
to be unclean and to be quarantined in confinement during the period. As the first-born son, Jesus was also to be
given over to God, and redeemed by his parents with the sacrifice of a pair of
doves or pigeons (Lev 12:1-8) – the sacrifice of poor people as the rich
sacrifice a lamb instead.
The feast was eventually called Candlemas, with the blessing of candles before the procession. Today, candles are still blessed at mass but
processions are rarer.
In France, people traditionally cook crepes, with a
coin in one hand – if you managed to catch the crepe in the pan when flipping
it, your family will be prosperous. Some people leave their Christmas
decorations up until this day as it is seen as the last day of the Epiphany
cycle.
Being the mid-point of winter, there is much folklore
regarding this day (Groundhog Day in US and also the day badgers come out to
test the weather in UK). Christians
light candles to symbolise the Light of Jesus.
Sometimes, lit candles are left at windowsills – but beware of curtains!
It is also the fourth Joyful Mystery in the Rosary
prayers.
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