鲍鱼tv

A reflection and prayer to start the day with the Archdeacon of Bangor, Mary Stallard.

Good morning. Some ancient festivals of faith are so pregnant with meaning that each year fresh resonances appear. Today鈥檚 Candlemas, the church鈥檚 official conclusion of Christmas, and the time when Christians begin to look towards Easter. It鈥檚 the last big moment in the story of the birth of Jesus and the start of a whole series of encounters that鈥檒l lead up to his crucifixion and resurrection.

Candlemas tells an inter-generational story, in which Mary, Joseph and the Christ-child encounter two elderly people: Simeon and Anna. They recognise who Jesus is and give thanks to God for him. It鈥檚 a beautiful picture of a diverse community of faith: old and young, men, women and a child gathering in blessing, giving and praying, and together looking towards God鈥檚 future.

At this moment in our own unfolding story, it feels as though we鈥檙e also in a transition time: longing for a conclusion, hoping we鈥檙e coming through this experience of pandemic towards recovery. So many of us are hoping and praying that we鈥檒l be able to move to a less restricted way of living.

Snowdrops now appearing in many places are sometimes called 鈥淐andlemas bells鈥�. They offer a wonderful sign of the moment of transition between one season and another, and in their combination of fragility and resilience they embody a hopeful vision of possibility and new life.

God of endings and beginnings, thank you for signs of hope and encouragement. Help us to notice your presence and to be attentive to all those we encounter. Amen