FROM THE VICAR

This month begins with the final celebration of Christmas and the Feast of the Presentation of Christ in the Temple, ending with Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent, candles to ash.

Candles in worship doubtless began as functional things, but by the time other forms of lighting became common, candles had come to acquire special meaning, and so stayed. How lovely our church looks with candles on the altar and at the shrines and how dull it would look without them. How people love to light votive candles in our church and at cathedrals as a prayer offering, it gives our prayers and worship added significance.

The Bible is full of references to Light. Our Lord said 'I am the Light of the World' (S.John 8.12) and so are all who follow Christ. At Holy Baptism the priest gives the newly baptised a lighted candle with the words: 'You have received the light of Christ; walk in this light all the days of your life. Shine as a light in the world to the glory of God the Father'. Candles flicker with life and they give off their light as they burn themselves up, and so they signify sacrifice as well as illumination.

Candlemas or the feast of the Presentation of Christ recalls the account in the gospel of the old priest Simeon when he saw the Christ Child and said that he was a 'Light to lighten the Gentiles' (S.Luke 2.32). On that day by long tradition at the beginning of the Mass a procession is formed with lighted candles and the Nunc Dimittis is sung as we process to the altar, recalling the journey of Mary and Joseph with the Christ Child to the Temple in Jerusalem.

Lent starts with the blessing of ashes from the burnt palms from last year's Palm Sunday. We are marked with the cross in ash on our forehead as a sign of our repentance for sin at the beginning of the season of penitence, leading up to Holy Week and Easter. Ash reminds us that we were made from dust and to dust we shall return. We remember that we are but mortals and weak, but by God's grace he gives life to our mortal bodies. So with prayer, good works and fasting, following the example of the Lord himself in the desert, we may grow in obedience to God and in fellowship with our neighbour.

May God richly bless you with his Grace in this coming year and always.

Your priest and friend.

Malcolm Ferrier.