From Rev’d Caroline – 01285 712467, carolinesymcox@googlemail.com
Readings for Sunday: Malachi 3.1-5; Hebrews 2.14-end; Luke 2.22-40
To hear Caroline’s sermon click on the arrow below.
The following is taken from the Parish Newsletter for Sunday 1st February 2026.
This Sunday sees us celebrating the festival of Candlemas, the Presentation of Christ in the Temple, which marks the end of this special season of Epiphany. It is called Candlemas, of course, because historically this is when the Church would bless its supply of candles for the year to come – looking at the symbolism of the light of the candles reflecting the light of the manifestation of God’s own self in Jesus Christ. We’ll do a little blessing of our own on Sunday!
The theme throughout this period, all the way from Christmas, has been to think about light in darkness. At Christmas we see that light coming to us for the first time, as Jesus is born as one of us. During Epiphany we think about the special moments when that light was truly recognised – by the Magi, by the witnesses at Jesus’ Baptism, by the servants and disciples as they saw the miracle of water becoming wine, and here on this last occasion, by Simeon and Anna as Christ is presented in the Temple. Christmas calls us to think about the gift itself. Epiphany draws us to reflect on our reception of that gift. Who were the people, and what were the moments when Jesus was truly seen and received as who he was – the Son of God?
In this festival of Candlemas we see Simeon and Anna speaking that recognition out loud in the most moving and powerful story. Both these people are old, have lived their whole lives waiting expectantly for the Messiah to arrive, and trusting God’s promise that they would indeed live to see it. And here in this moment, God’s promise is fulfilled, and they see and recognise exactly who Jesus is. It must have been an extraordinarily emotional moment for them both – holding the infant child who they know is their Lord and Saviour, with the hustle and bustle of the Temple melting away in this time of true Epiphany.
The challenge for us in the wake of this story is both simple and incredibly important. Like Simeon and Anna, we recognise just who this child is, and like them, the only thing we should do next is to let that recognition grow into action. Jesus is the Light of the World, and our calling is to carry that light out with us – out of church, and into our communities, our friendship groups and our families. It’s not enough just to see. We have to respond! How will you carry this truth and light out into the world this week?
Rev’d Caroline