Blessed Candlemas and Feast of the Presentation of our Lord!

So today is the feast of the Presentation of our Lord, also known as Candlemas for the purification of Mary. Yesterday, the co-op class I'm helping organize and lead with the other moms of preK through 1st grade children put on a liturgical feast based on Luke 2: 22-35.

Jesus Presented in the Temple

²² When the time came for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord ^{23 2}as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord”, ²⁴ and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: “a pair of doves or two young pigeons.”

dove shaped peanut butter sandwiches, candle shaped treats (Candlemas), crepes (like a bundled baby), fruit, and white hot chocolate (white for Mary). Kids also folded napkins into a candle shape for today (Candlemas).

²⁵ Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. ²⁶ It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah.²⁷ Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, ²⁸ Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:

²⁹ “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,
    you may now dismiss^[c] your servant in peace.
³⁰ For my eyes have seen your salvation,
³¹     which you have prepared in the sight of all nations:
³² a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
    and the glory of your people Israel.”

³³ The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. ³⁴ Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, ³⁵ so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”

Swords piercing cheese, for Luke 2:35

New International Version (NIV)

I am LOVING this Liturgical Teas and Feast class. I have always wanted to make it a better habit to celebrate the feast days and this class has helped me be more responsible about it. When we last me, we celebrated the Feast of Our Lady of Altagracia. As a class, we work on table setting, table manners, and serving each other. This week the children also made their own sandwiches, cut out the dove shapes, made the candle treats, set the table, folded the napkins this way: Folded Candles. Happy Feast Day! This is a great weekend for bringing faith to life! Yesterday was the Feast of St. Brigid of Ireland (Irish foods!), today is Candlemas/Presentation, and tomorrow is the Feast of St. Blaize - and a good time to be blessed for health - especially if you suffer from colds, sore throats, and other throat ailments! Blessings to you!!!