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Though most people in our British culture think of Christmas as lasting for twelve days, until The Epiphany on January 6th, in some Christian traditions it does not end until February 2nd called Candlemas, 40 days after Jesus' birth. This commemorates the day when Mary and Joseph took the baby to the Temple in Jerusalem. The requirement in Jewish law was for Mary to be 'cleansed', the completion of her purification following the birth of a male child. Many of you may remember the days when women were 'churched' after giving birth. This was both a 'cleansing' - a hangover from the days when anything to do with 'women's bits' was regarded as unsavoury, but also a thanksgiving, a reflection of the enormous danger to life which giving birth entailed. The death of either the mother or child - or both - was highly likely until well into the 20th century. In 1979, when a curate at Pershore Abbey, I was urgently summoned to a home to 'Church' a mother. It was urgent not because there was a danger of death, but because the mother of the child wasn't allowed to touch anything in the home, so no cleaning and no cooking - because she was 'unclean' until purified by a priest. Not very acceptable to the father of the child and difficult to believe these days, isn't it!
When Mary and Joseph took the infant Jesus to the temple they were met by two devout worshipers we read in the Bible, Simeon and Anna. On seeing the holy family, Simeon praised God and hailed the infant Jesus as 'the light to enlighten the nations' and Anna gave thanks and proclaimed him her Redeemer. The image of Jesus as 'The Light' has led to the celebration on February 2nd of light countering darkness, with candles often taking as central place in the celebration.
The use of fire in Christian worship - in a controlled way of course - is not uncommon. On January 6th, Pauntley held it's annual Apostle's Fire traditional event, when individual fires were lit in a field near the church to commemorate the lives of the apostles and prayers were offered to God for a blessing upon the work of agriculture. Candlemas often includes the blessing of candles used in church for the coming year. Easter Eve (also called Holy Saturday) ceremonies involve lighting a fire outside a church and from that fire lighting the large Paschal (or Easter) candle which is then lit during every service in the Easter season and also at baptisms, funerals and some other services throughout the year. Individual worshipers also receive a candle in many churches at this time. These they take home to light when they pray in their own homes. This is a visual reminder to all Christians that Christ, and no other, is the light of the World.
So the year marches on. Lent begins this year on March 1st, Ash Wednesday, when all Baptised and Confirmed Christians are called to begin a process of self examination and to review their faith ready to renew their commitment to God at Easter. You and I are also called to do so. Make use of a Lent Course or Bible Study Course. Plan now, before Lent begins!!
Richard Franklin
From the Clergy
Benefice Notes - From the Registers
Weddings
10th Dec
Funerals
7th Dec
9th Dec
16th Dec
20th Dec
30th Dec
Basil Stephens
Vera Jones
Gwen Dartnell
David Brown
Sheila Davies
Jack Hopkins and Nicola Hamer
Upleadon
Bromesberrow
Redmarley
Donnington
Kempley
Bromesberrow
All enquiries about Marriages, Funerals or Baptisms should be made to the curate or the Churchwardens. Please also let the curate, or a member of the ministry team, know of anyone who is ill at home or in hospital and who might appreciate a visit. Rev’d Lara
Church Matters