February 2 marks the forty days after Christmas. It is an event filled with joy as the Only Begotten Son enters his temple and God ascends his throne.

The psalmist gives voice to such a solemn entrance: “O gates, lift high your heads; grow higher, ancient doors. Let him enter, the king of glory!”

The true light enters the temple. This was an important idea in the fourth century as the Church articulated in her doctrine, “light from light.” Saint Ambrose poetically gives expression to this idea:

Thou splendor of the Father’s glory,

Pouring upon us light drawn from Thy Light:

Thou art the Light of lights,

the fount of brightness

And to our days the daylight-giving Day.”

This idea of light brought about the blessing of candles on this day. The second day of February is known as Candlemas Day. Candles used throughout the year are blessed. Christ is our light. He curses the darkness of our lives. Unless we welcome him, we will continue to live in darkness.

He will come as light into his temple to refine us. The prophet Malachai gives this image. The First Reading reminds us that he will purify the priesthood of Levi. This purification ensures that the priestly sacrifice will be worthy before God. Handel sets this text to music:

God enters his temple as King and Light and will purify the sons of Levi. Here are two nuggets to consider on this Feast Day.

First, Jesus comes in the daily hustle and bustle of temple life. No one recognizes him except two elderly people. Pope Benedict XVI paints the scene:

It is interesting to take a close look at this entrance of the Child Jesus into the solemnity of the temple, in the great comings and goings of many people, busy with their work: priests and Levites taking turns to be on duty, the numerous devout people and pilgrims anxious to encounter the Holy God of Israel. Yet none of them noticed anything. Jesus was a child like the others, a first-born son of very simple parents. Even the priests proved incapable of recognizing the signs of the new and special presence of the Messiah and Saviour. Alone two elderly people, Simeon and Anna, discover this great newness.

In the heart of all the daily activities of the temple, Joseph and Mary offered the sacrifice of the poor. They offered a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons. In their poverty, they remained faithful in bringing the Christ child to the temple. The Virgin Mary presents the Christ child to Simeon and Anna. She presents “the light for a safe journey on the path of truth and love” (Pope Benedict XVI homily February 2, 2006).

Secondly, when Simeon and Anna meet the Christ child, it is an meeting of a fulfilled promise. They spent their whole lives contemplating the face of God. Their prophetic words summarize the expectant hope of all Israel. As they gaze on the beauty of Christ, they testify to his suffering love. This love will save all people. The Old Testament meets the New Testament. God fulfills his promise of sending a savior!

This story reminds us to never miss the opportunity to meet Christ in our daily encounters with others. This story reminds us that the elderly have dignity and an important mission to reveal Christ to us. This story reminds us that while Christ is everywhere he is somewhere. Christ is in his temple. The presence of Christ is a reminder that the Father keeps his promises. Let us adore him.