Devotion and Readings for February 1, 2, and 3, 2021

This date, February 2, is a very special celebration among Christians. We celebrate what is called the feast of the Presentation of our Lord. On February 2 each year the church celebrates the presentation of Jesus in the Temple at Jerusalem. Ancient Jewish law required that, following the birth of a firstborn male child, the mother must come to the temple after 40 days for purification and for presentation of the child to the Lord. February 2 is the 40^th day of Christmas. Christmas Day being day 1; February 2^nd being day 40.

The presentation of Mary’s child, however, was different from most. This was the Christ Child, Jesus, the Savior, the Messiah who had been promised. And he was recognized as such by the old prophet Simeon, who knew that this child was “a light for revelation to all nations.” Thus, the image of light carries an important part in this day’s liturgy and links itself with the Christmas season and its lights of the Advent wreath, the decorative tree lights, and the many candles of the Nativity celebration.

To mark this particular feast, the ancient tradition calls for 1) the blessing of candles and burning oils to be used during the year and 2) a procession “to meet the Lord,” just as Simeon and Anna went to the Temple and found the Christ there. The liturgy is called “Candlemas” (the Candle Mass).

Here is another special note about this day. In the reading from Luke we have the Canticle of Simeon, often called the “Nunc Dimittis”. This is Latin phrase which begins this Canticle of Simeon. Many churches use this Canticle of Simeon during funerals. Since my arrival as pastor at Martin Luther Lutheran Church in Carmine we have been using this statement as well. Here is what we use in the funerals:

“Lord, now you let your servant go in peace:

your Word has been fulfilled.

My own eyes have seen the salvation

which you have prepared in the sight of every people:

a light to reveal you to the nations

and the glory of your people Israel. (Luke 2:29-32)

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,

As it was in the beginning, is now and will be forever.”

This Canticle of Simeon is used because of the context of its original use in Luke chapter 2. Simeon was promised by God that he would not die until he had met the Lord’s Messiah. He was likely a bit older, possibly around the age of Anna (noted in Luke 2:36-38). She was 84 years old. Upon meeting the Messiah, Jesus, Simeon could rest in peace. When a Christian, who is a person who has met the Messiah, has died, we remember his or her relationship with God and the fulfillment of God’s promises when we share this Canticle of Simeon.

Original Text by Pr. Thomas L. Weitzel, adapted and added to for use at MLLC and mllccarmine.com by Pr. David J. Tinker

Almighty and ever-living God, your only-begotten Son was presented this day in the temple. May we be presented to you with clean and pure hearts by the same Jesus Christ, our great high priest, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen

Prayer from Evangelical Lutheran Worship. Copyright © 2021 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved.

The Vigil of Easter – March 26

Posted by Pastor David Tinker in Announcements and tagged with Baptism, Candles, Jesus Christ, Resurrection of our Lord, Vigil of Easter March 26, 2016

EasterVigilCandles

Three Celebrations of the Resurrection

1: The Great Vigil of Easter – 7 p.m. on Saturday, March 26 – see the introduction below.

2: Easter Sunrise – 7:30 a.m. on Sunday, at the Carmine Cemetery

3: Easter Festival – 9 a.m. on Sunday

The Easter Breakfast will take place at 8 a.m. in the fellowship hall.

The Easter Egg hunt will follow worship on the church lawn, or in the fellowship hall if weather is unfavorable.

The Great Vigil of Easter

Saturday, March 26, 7 p.m.

Click this link to view a blog post by our own Jennifer Clark Tinker which tells about her experience and joy related to attending the Great Vigil of Easter each year.

An Introduction to the Vigil of Easter

Like the children of Israel who watched and waited through the night for the Lord of the Exodus, we too come together this night to watch and wait for the Lord of the Resurrection. We come, as Christians have come since the first century, to keep vigil and to prepare ourselves for the arrival of the Bridegroom who is chief host and guest at the Resurrection feast to come.

First, we must break the darkness of the night. Like the virgins in the parable, we must light our vigil lights. Our light will be a very special light, for it is the light of Christ which burns atop the Paschal candle and which dispels the darkness — of night, of sin, of death. Our light will be a constant reminder of the Resurrection victory during the coming season, at every baptism and at every funeral. But for now, it will burn in vigil as we await the Bridegroom.

When we have settled into our pews for the watch, we hear the storytellers among us sharing the stories of our faith — the stories of God’s salvation history and the covenants which he made with our people. These are our “family” stories. We listen. We sing. We watch. And we wait for the feast to come.

After hearing our stories, we make our last minute preparations to meet our Lord. All must be right for the feast. On some years those among us who have not yet joined us are brought into membership with us this night, making all who are here part of the Church family, known as the Bride of Christ. Each year, so that the whole family is prepared, each of us reaffirms our faith through the Apostles Creed. As we interact with the water and the Lord, we hear and we feel that grace which was given to us through our baptism.

We are nearly ready. The time is close. We prepare the room and set the table for the Feast of Victory, the First Holy Communion of this greatest festival day of all. And then at last He comes! The Resurrection victory is won! The Bridegroom has come through the darkness to claim his Bride, the Church, to be his own. This is the feast of victory! In the end flowers and banners must adorn the space, for our time this evening and tomorrow will be a feast to remember.

The Biggest Night of the Year – the Vigil of Easter

Posted by Pastor David Tinker in Announcements, Pastor's Ponderings and tagged with Baptism, Candles, Holy Communion, Holy Week, Old Testament, Rejoice, Stories of Faith, Vigil of Easter, wait April 19, 2014

This is the Night when we gather for the Vigil of Easter. It is an ancient special service of the Church. It is very different than anything else we do throughout the year. We gather at 7 p.m. on Saturday Night, April 19. We look forward to seeing you at the Great Vigil of Easter.

Here is the rest of our Holy Week Schedule: Click link.

Here is a perspective on this day from Deaconess Jennifer Clark Tinker, who is a member at Martin Luther Lutheran Church: click this link for Jen’s Reflection.

Here is the introduction to this day as we will have it in our service bulletin:

An Introduction to the Vigil of Easter
Like the children of Israel who watched and waited through the night for the Lord of the Exodus, we too come together this night to watch and wait for the Lord of the Resurrection. We come, as Christians have come since the first century, to keep vigil and to prepare ourselves for the arrival of the Bridegroom who is chief host and guest at the Resurrection feast to come.
First, we must break the darkness of the night. Like the virgins in the parable, we must light our vigil lights. Our light will be a very special light, for it is the light of Christ which burns atop the Paschal candle and which dispels the darkness — of night, of sin, of death. Our light will be a constant reminder of the Resurrection victory during the coming season, at every baptism and at every funeral. But for now, it will burn in vigil as we await the Bridegroom.
When we have settled into our pews for the watch, we hear the storytellers among us sharing the stories of our faith — the stories of God’s salvation history and the covenants which he made with our people. These are our “family” stories. We listen. We sing. We watch. And we wait for the feast to come.
After hearing our stories, we make our last minute preparations to meet our Lord. All must be right for the feast. On some years those among us who have not yet joined us are brought into membership with us this night, making all who are here part of the family, which is the Church and the Bride of Christ. Each year, so that the whole family is prepared, each of us renews our baptismal vows. As we interact with the water and the Lord, we hear and we feel that grace which was given to us through our baptism.
We are nearly ready. The time is close. We prepare the room and set the table for the Feast of Victory, the First Holy Communion of this greatest festival day of all. And then at last He comes! The Resurrection victory is won! The Bridegroom has come through the darkness to claim his Bride, the Church, to be his own. This is the feast of victory! In the end flowers and banners must adorn the space, for our time this evening and tomorrow will be a feast to remember.

Thanks to Pr. Thomas L. Weitzel, ELCA. This introduction was adapted from his original work.

Martin Luther Lutheran Church

Carmine, Texas

Tag Archives: Candles

Devotion and Readings for February 1, 2, and 3, 2021

Bible Readings and Devotion for February 1, 2 and 3, 2021

February 1

February 2

February 3

Devotion for February 1, 2, 3, 2021

By Pastor David Tinker

This article was originally published on the mllccarmine.com web site in 2014. It has been adapted for the current context.