BRILL: Christ, Our Light - Celebrating the Feast of the Presentation

The Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, celebrated on Feb. 2, is a moment of profound beauty and meaning in the Church’s liturgical calendar. This year, Feb. 2 falls on a Sunday, which means it takes precedence over the usual Sunday Liturgy because it is a “Feast of the Lord” compared to a feast for a saint. So, this Sunday brims with a unique theological significance and offers us a different way to deepen our faith.

Also known as Candlemas, this feast marks the 40th day after Christmas and commemorates Mary and Joseph bringing the infant Jesus to the Temple, as required by the Mosaic Law. There, they encounter Simeon and Anna, who recognize the Christ Child as the Light of the World.

This highlights the feast’s importance as a celebration of the Lord’s entry into His Temple — an event that fulfills Old Testament prophecy and points toward His mission of salvation. In the Gospel of Luke (2:22-40), Simeon declares Jesus as a “Light for revelation to the Gentiles and glory for your people Israel.” If we listen attentively, Simeon’s words will resonate in the Church’s prayers this Sunday, and we get to unite our prayer to Simeon’s to marvel at how Christ’s light dispels darkness and brings hope to the world.

For Mary, the Presentation was also a moment of humility and obedience. Although she was free from sin, she submitted to the Mosaic Law by undergoing the rite of purification. Her actions show us the virtue of humility and the importance of honoring God’s law, even when we might not fully understand it. This is an opportunity for us to reflect on how we live out our faith and seek to grow in humility and trust.

The blessing of candles is a beloved tradition of this feast, symbolizing Christ’s light. Parishioners often bring candles to Mass, where they are blessed and sometimes carried in a procession. This beautiful ritual reminds us that, as baptized Christians, we are called to carry Christ’s light into a darkened world. The candles blessed on Candlemas are often taken home and used throughout the year during storms, moments of prayer or times of illness. These practices connect our liturgical celebrations with daily life, making our faith tangible and present in our homes. These sacramentals create a bridge between the sacred and the everyday. This custom encourages us to see Christ’s light shining in all areas of our lives and remind us of our call to be light-bearers for others.

The Presentation of the Lord invites us to encounter Christ’s light anew. As we bring candles to be blessed or gaze upon their flickering light, may we be reminded of Simeon’s proclamation and our baptismal call to carry Christ’s light into the world. 

Adam Brill is the director of the Office of Worship.