Activities | History | Nurture

February 2025 magazine

stjohnstmarkchurchburyFriday, January 24, 2025

Please find a link here to our February 2025 magazine, paper copies of which will be available in our two churches from this weekend.

In this Candlemas edition you’ll find a reflection on Psalm 84 by Alan Thew, together with news and updates from most of our groups and organisations. And, sorry to disappoint, but our Lunar New Year celebration is already sold-out!

Candlemas is when Jesus was first brought to the Temple as a young infant by Mary and Joseph. And in this February 2025 magazine you’ll find a letter from Ian Banks reflecting on that moment…

A light shining in the darkness

We’re in that transition time from Epiphany through to Lent and February’s Gospel readings start with Jesus being brought to the Temple as a very young infant. The story is taken from Luke 2:22-40 and we get passion and song and expectation.

The holy family were being obedient to Jewish law. A first-born son must be circumcised after eight days, then later presented in the Temple and be redeemed by an offering to God. And the mother of a son had to be ritually purified and a sacrifice offered.

So, here we are at the Temple and the family are met and welcomed, not by the local clergy, but by Simeon and Anna. We’re told that these two are wise and faithful and long-past retirement age – and that they’ve been waiting.

Freedom

They don’t appear to be there in any official capacity – and maybe that gave them more freedom to do or say whatever they pleased. Much like some of us perhaps! But I think too that it gave them a freedom to recognise and be open to new possibilities – as well as appreciate the difficulties.

Simeon can’t help but burst into a song which we still sing today. He perceives that Jesus will be a great leader but warns the new mother of challenging times to come – Jesus’ radical approach to inclusivity will not sit easily with everyone. And Anna was excited for those who would be liberated by Jesus.

Both Simeon and Anna somehow recognised Jesus as Messiah, but their reactions were very different. Simeon was content that he’d finally got to meet the one who’d been long prophesied – whilst Anna wanted to go and tell anyone and everyone who would listen.

Patiently waiting?

It might be worth reflecting on times when God has sent people to welcome us and who told us some surprising things. They might have been complete strangers, with very different personalities, but somehow there was a connection and they’ve given us a ‘word in season’. They’ve said or done something that struck a chord.

But perhaps it’s us who are, or should be, the Simeons and Annas of today? Are we patiently, faithfully waiting for something? How truly open are we to recognising something new when it comes? Do we welcome fresh arrivals and different approaches for the possibilities that they may bring? Do we keep things to ourselves, or do we share?

Pope Francis said of Simeon and Anna that they: “patiently looked for the light shining in the darkness of history… By staying awake in expectation of the Lord, they were able to welcome him in the newness of His coming.”

We would do well to do the same. Ian