Candlemas :
Presentation of Christ in the Temple

READINGS:
Malachi 3:1-5,
Hebrews 2:14-end,
Luke 2:22-40
 

Nurturing Hope-Filled People

It takes a village to raise a child.” A popular and much-quoted sentiment. I wonder, how many people would you name as having influenced and shaped the person you are today? Family members, teachers, sports coaches, youth group leaders—the list is likely long. These are people who have made a lasting impression on us, developed our latent gifts, fostered our passions and interests, set our moral compass, and nurtured our faith. Raising and nurturing a child to adulthood is, quite clearly, not a one-person job! 

Manifesto of Hope

The Baptist minister and social activist Steve Chalke, founder of the Oasis Trust, provides profound insights into the raising and nurturing of children in his work, including the book Manifesto of Hope.  He argues that children thrive when surrounded by love, acceptance, and holistic care, within an environment shaped by justice, community, and inclusion. At its heart is the need to show children unconditional love and acceptance. 

Through Manifesto of Hope, Chalke offers a vision of nurturing children that is relational, holistic, and rooted in hope and justice. He challenges families, communities, and wider society to create environments where children are loved, encouraged to explore their identity and faith, and empowered to thrive in every area of life. It is a perspective well worth reflecting on. 

At the Temple

In today’s Gospel reading, we hear of the presentation of Jesus in the Temple and his encounters with Simeon and Anna. Did you notice the last sentence? “The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favour of God was upon him.” This account offers profound insights into how Jesus was nurtured in faith by Mary and Joseph. It also invites us to reflect on how parents, guardians, and communities can foster a child’s spiritual growth and moral compass, encouraging curiosity, questioning, and an open worldview. 

Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to the Temple for his presentation, fulfilling Jewish laws of purification and dedication. Their commitment to raising him within the framework of their faith is evident. Through this ritual, they modelled for Jesus—while he was still an infant—the importance of connection to a faith tradition, instilling a sense of belonging and identity. Like many stories of early childhood, the tale of his presentation was likely shared with him repeatedly as he grew, embedding itself into his identity. 

In Jewish tradition, firstborn sons were consecrated to God, and Mary and Joseph made the required sacrificial offering of two turtle doves or pigeons. This story underscored Jesus’ identity as a firstborn child set apart for God. 

The account also introduces us to two elderly figures—Simeon and Anna. Simeon, described as devout and righteous, had been promised by the Holy Spirit that he would see the Messiah before his death. Anna, a prophetess, worshipped daily in the Temple. Both embody the virtues of patience, faith, and hope. Despite their advanced age, they faithfully awaited the fulfilment of God’s promises. These two individuals, outside Jesus’ immediate family, also played a role in affirming and nurturing his identity and faith. 

Nurturing Jesus’ faith

In Jesus’ time, the nurturing of children and the teaching of faith were deeply rooted in Jewish cultural, religious, and familial practices. The family and local community were essential to shaping a child’s spiritual and moral development. Parents, especially fathers, were tasked with teaching their children about God and the Torah, while mothers were primary caregivers, instructing children in prayer, dietary laws, and daily practices. Children were also encouraged to ask questions—particularly during rituals like the Passover meal, where the question, “Why is this night different from all other nights?” fostered understanding and engagement. This pattern of questioning became so deeply ingrained in Jesus that he used it in his own ministry to help people go deeper in their understanding of God. 

Candlemas celebrations

For many churches, this Gospel reading coincides with Candlemas, celebrated 40 days after Christmas. Candlemas marks the end of the Christmas season and is a festival of light and hope. Simeon’s declaration of Jesus as “ a light for revelation to the Gentiles” reminds us of Christ’s role as the light of the world, shining into darkness and bringing hope to all. 

Candlemas highlights God’s presence in Christ, the relational nature of faith, and the church’s call to “be with” others as a light in the world. Today, it invites us to carry this light into the world by fostering hope, embracing renewal, and illuminating places of despair with acts of love, faith, and justice. 

A challenge and the light of hope

Many would say that our social care systems are struggling—underfunded and overwhelmed. As a result, many children are failing to thrive. Steve Chalke notes: “At the same time, we are side-lining our greatest national asset: its people—mums, dads, families, and other community members.” It takes a community to raise a child. Could that community be us, as individuals and faith communities?

How might we support and help those who bring up children in this complex and complicated world? On this feast of Candlemas, as we celebrate Christ’s presence in the world, we are called and challenged to be bearers of his light in our communities. With God’s help, may we reflect Christ’s transformative love in our deeds and actions, bringing hope and renewal to those around us. 

Image at the top of this post:
The Presentation of Christ in the Temple – painting by Giovanni di Paolo di Grazia (detail)