The Presentation of Our Lord Jesus Christ in the Temple

A feast of our Lord, celebrated on Feb. 2, also known as Candlemas, and the Feast of the Purification, commemorates the presentation of Jesus and the purification of Mary in the Jerusalem Temple forty days after Jesus’ birth, in accordance with the requirements of Jewish law (Lv 12:2-8). The feast is celebrated about forty days after Christmas. According to the account of Lk 2:22-39, the presentation of Jesus was also the occasion of the meeting of Jesus with Simeon and Anna. Simeon’s prayer of blessing is the basis for the canticle Nunc dimittis (see, Book of Common Prayer, p. 120). Celebration of the feast dates from the fourth century in Jerusalem. It was introduced in Rome in the seventh century, where it included a procession with candles and the singing of the Nunc dimittis. The celebration came to include the lighting and blessing of candles which were carried in procession. This feast was known as “Candlemas.”

Nunc dimittis

A canticle based on the words of Simeon, who recognized the infant Jesus to be the Messiah at the Presentation of Jesus in the temple by Mary and Joseph (Lk 2:29-32). It had been revealed to Simeon by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Messiah. When Simeon saw the child Jesus he took him up in his arms, blessed God, and said, “Lord, you now have set your servant free to go in peace as you have promised.” Simeon was peaceful and ready to face death because he had seen the long-expected Messiah. The canticle is also known as the Song of Simeon. The term Nunc dimittis is from the initial words of the Song of Simeon in Latin, which mean “now let depart.” The canticle is identified as the canticle for Evening Office by the Apostolic Constitutions of the late fourth century.

In the seventh century, Pope Sergius (d. 701) introduced in Rome a procession with candles and the singing of the Nunc dimittis to celebrate the Presentation of our Lord Jesus Christ in the Temple. The day came to be known as “Candlemas.” The Nunc dimittis became the canticle for use at Compline in the west. It was also used as the canticle following the second lesson at Evensong in the 1549 Book of Common Prayer. It has appeared in this place in every subsequent Prayer Book except the 1789 Book of Common Prayer. The 1979 Book of Common Prayer uses the Nunc dimittis after the second lesson at Evening Prayer (p. 120) and near the conclusion of Compline (p. 135). At the Burial of the Dead, the Nunc dimittis may be used as an anthem as the body is borne from the church after the commendation. The Nunc dimittis also appears as Canticles 5 and 17 for optional use at Morning Prayer (pp. 51, 93). The Hymnal 1982 provides musical settings of the Nunc dimittis (S 196-S 200, S 254-S 260). The Hymnal 1982 Accompaniment Edition, Vol. 1 also provides musical settings of the Nunc dimittis (S 395, S 405).

Canticle

A canticle is a non-metrical song used in liturgical worship. Canticles are drawn from biblical texts other than the Psalter. The term is derived from the Latin canticulum, a “little song.” In practice, canticles are sung or said in worship. The Book of Common Prayer provides contemporary and traditional language canticles. Contemporary language canticles may be used in traditional language services and vice versa. Many canticles are traditionally known by the opening words (incipit) of the canticle in Latin versions of the Bible or service books, such as the Benedictus Dominus Deus (Canticle 16, Book of Common Prayer, p. 92). The Book of Common Prayer provides a Table of Canticles suggested for use at Morning and Evening Prayer (pp. 144-145). Canticles serve as responses to the readings at the services of the Daily Office. Canticles may also be used at the Burial of the Dead after the OT and NT readings, at the Holy Eucharist on certain occasions as an alternative to the psalm appointed, at the Easter Vigil after certain Old Testament readings in the liturgy of the word, in the Daily Devotions for Individuals and Families, and after the Bible reading in the Order for Evening.

Psalter

A publication in which the psalms are written in regular poetic meters and intended for singing to musical settings in stanzas. The earliest important metrical psalter in English is the “Old Version” or “Sternhold and Hopkins.” The first version of nineteen metrical psalms was published about 1547, followed by a complete version that was published in London in 1562. They were authorized for use before and after services and sermons. The Hymnal 1982 contains William Kethe’s version of Ps 100, “All people that on earth do dwell” from the 1562 edition (Hymns 377-378). The “Old Version” was used in England into the eighteenth century. It was generally replaced by the “New Version” of Nicholas Brady and Nahum Tate, which was first published in London in 1696. The Hymnal 1982 contains three texts in altered versions from this collection (Hymns 364, 658, 666). The “New Version” was used by English colonists in America before the Revolution and was bound with the first Book of Common Prayer for publication in 1789. The 1832 General Convention substituted selections from the psalms for the whole Psalter. Most of these were from the “New Version,” but sixteen were from other sources. The Book of Common Prayer allows use of metrical versions of the invitatory psalms and of the canticles after the readings at Morning and Evening Prayer (Book of Common Prayer, p. 141).

Learn More: https://episcopalchurch.org

The Her Way of Love Episcopal Church Community of Women follows The Way of Love as a rule of life. During the 79th General Convention of the Episcopal Church, Presiding Bishop Michael Curry encouraged Episcopalians to adopt the The Way of Love as a rule of life, through the seven practices of Turn, Learn, Pray, Worship, Bless, Go + Rest. The Her Way of Love mission is to provide a community of support for women seeking to cultivate an intentional life of prayer and action by committing themselves to The Way of Love. 

Learn more about The Way of Love here:  https://episcopalchurch.org/way-of-love  & Learn more about Her Way of Love here: https://www.herwayoflove.com

At Saint John’s, we’re inviting you to join an eight month journey in the “Her Way of Love Book Club.” Through memoirs, theology and poetry, we’ll enrich our spiritual lives and grow together.  Each month of book club we will read a book that is paired with one of the practices. We are continuing on with the third book in the month of March, and we will be reading, “Inspired: Slaying Giants, Walking on Water, and Loving the Bible Again,” by Rachel Held Evans.

Join Here:https://www.herwayoflove.com/bookclub

Please know that you might choose to read any one or all of the eight books on the reading list at any time, during the next eight months, and that you may choose reading at your own pace, contributing at your own pace, and reflecting at your own pace. This book club is intended to be a gentle and nurturing tool that brings, “Joy to Your Journey,” with no deadlines, no distress, and especially, no dread. 

With enough interest in a particular book or books, we’ll schedule one or more gatherings with refreshments in Saint John’s garden, for questions and discussion, so watch for more announcements with information in spring and summer of 2020, as fair weather follows!

On Saturday November 30, an intrepid group of five Saint John’s folks braved the cold to go to see the Winterlights in North Andover, at the Stevens Coolidge Place. Maureen Lavely, John Quinn, Laura Carroll and her daughter Louisa,  and Catherine Womack all set out for the multi-mode trip, which involved cars, busses and travel on foot. 

Because of the popularity of the event, we had to park at a nearby school, and there was a school bus shuttle to the Winterlights. Maureen made herself comfortable in the school bus, enjoying the relatively warmer temperatures. Did I mention it was really cold outside?  After being dropped off, we braved the chilly winds in line, looking yearningly at the outside heater behind the registration table. I asked the parka-clad volunteer how she was, and she replied, “numb”.

We set off, and soon encountered a festive light tunnel-of-sorts. Perfect photo op! Laura and Louisa posed, as did Catherine.  The lights were varied and interesting and lovely. You can see them hung in trees, in the background behind John Quinn, and covering something that our group couldn’t decide whether it was a car, a hippo, or an igloo (igloo won out).

There were a few warm moments, provided by up-market hot cider for sale, and two complimentary fire pits. People were polite and didn’t push and shove to get closer to the warmth. Smoke was ignored, given the conditions, which, in case you’ve forgotten, were really really cold.   After an hour, we’d seen everything and were ready to head back to the warmer climes of the school bus, and cars to head home. We agreed it was fun, in large part because it was a chance to hang out and talk to each other, enjoying some seasonal festiveness.