Thursday, February 2nd is the Feast of the Presentation, also known as Candlemas. This feast day comes forty days after Christmas and commemorates the presentation of baby Jesus and the purification of his mother Mary in the Jerusalem temple forty days after his birth. At his presentation, the baby Jesus was greeted by Simeon (whose prayer upon encountering Jesus became the basis for the canticle nunc dimmittis (see page 120 in your Book of Common Prayer) and by the prophet Anna. Over time, this celebration came to include the lighting and blessing of candles, remembering Simeon’s prayer that Jesus is “a light to enlighten the nations.”
This year for Candlemas, join St. James’ in our Parish Hall for a 5:45 pm soup supper followed by a candlelight procession to the church for a special evening Holy Eucharist! The Eucharist will take place at approximately 6:30 p.m.
RSVP requested (but not required) so Mtr. Meredith knows how much soup to make. You can RSVP here or to Dyan in the parish office.
