The Presentation of the Lord

<p>According to Mosaic law, a new mother was 'unclean' for 40 days after she had given birth. She would then enter the temple with her child, bringing an offering of either a lamb and a dove or pigeon, or two doves or pigeons, to be cleansed by prayers. Today's feast commemorates Mary's purification and the presentation of Jesus in the temple.</p>
<p>The observance of this feast began in 4th century Jerusalem and was celebrated in Rome by the 5th century. It is a feast of both Our Lord and the Blessed Virgin. In the Eastern Church, it was called 'The Meeting' of Jesus and Mary with Simeon and Anna, representatives of the Old Covenant.</p>
<p>In the Middle Ages, a tradition began of blessing candles and holding a procession of light on this day. As a result, this feast is also known as 'Candlemas': Christ our light has come to us.©2011 <em>Living with Christ, </em>Novalis - Bayard Press Canada Inc., <strong>http://www.livingwithchrist.ca/</strong&gt;. Reprinted with permission.</p>