Candlemas 2014

Always on February 2 (the 40th Day of Christmas), the Feast of the Presentation (Candlemas) this year falls on a Sunday. That means we celebrate it with glorious music sung by the Saint Thomas Choir of Men and Boys at both 11am and 4pm. Fr Mead preaches at 11am; Fr Daniels at 4pm.

On this day we recall Mary and Joseph, with two turtle doves in tow, taking Jesus to the Temple, according to the Gospel of Saint Luke, Chapter 2, beginning at verse 22. There, an old man named Simeon beholds the Christ: And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: for mine eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.

Candlemas, then, gives us this Song of Simeon, which you may know as the Nunc dimittis. The choir sings the Nunc at every Choral Evensong. On Sunday, February 2, 2014, they sing it to the music of Gustov Holst.

At Saint Thomas, the Feast of the Presentation also serves as the launch of our annual Candlemas Campaign, at which time we ask those who have not yet pledged for the current pledge year to please consider doing so during the month of February. Thank you to everyone who already has.