the Presentation of Christ

(2 February)

The Collect:
ALMIGHTY and ever-living God, we humbly beseech your Majesty, that, as your only-begotten Son was this day presented in the temple in substance of our flesh, so we may be presented unto you with pure and clean hearts, by the same your Son Jesus Christ our Lord.

The Readings:
Malachi 3:1-5; Psalm 48:1-7; Galatians 4:1-7; Luke 2:22-40

Reflection:
On this fortieth day after Christmas, in obedience to the Law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took Jesus to be presented in the Temple, making offerings to God.  The Gospel reading relates the story of what happened that day, including some prophetic words from Simeon and Anna.  The Old Testament reading and the Psalm, by contrast, depict the powerful presence of God in the midst of his people.  How does this fit with the story of 40-day-old baby Jesus being carried into the Temple by his parents?  The Epistle reading draws these two images together: God sent his Son, born under the law to redeem those under the law that all might receive adoption as sons.  So, as the Collect says, we await and anticipate our presentation to God just as Jesus was presented to the Father.