February is celebrated as the month of LOVE. What if we looked deeper than the culture’s view, and set our eyes on a Godly definition of love, one of covenant, self-sacrifice, and lasting commitment? You can be a part of our Celebration of Marriage, a special 20/20 focus on the bonds that keep couples together – through thick and thin, through ups and downs, through joy and sorrow.

Read on for 3 new vehicles to care for, celebrate, and strengthen marriage. There’s something for everyone. Take part in one or take advantage of all three, it’s up to you….

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The Latest Edition of the Parish Newsletter from Christ St Paul’s, Yonges Island, #SouthCarolina https://t.co/pVIGb4UaM3 #anglican #parishministry pic.twitter.com/yIhqJQN5EG

— Kendall Harmon (@KendallHarmon6) February 2, 2020

Novak Djokovic wins his eighth Australian Open title after defeating Dominic Thiem in a five-set thriller https://t.co/zfRYhOQbVu pic.twitter.com/r0BF6U1vsn

— CNN Breaking News (@cnnbrk) February 2, 2020

Second, this fulfilment is rooted in Scripture. Every line of the Nunc Dimittis echoes one of the promises in Isaiah 40–66.

And the glory of the LORD will be revealed, and all people will see it together. (Is 40.5)

I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles. (Is 42.6)

Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you. (Is 60.1)

(See also Is 46.13, 49.6, 52.10 and 56.1).

Thirdly, this biblical pattern of promise is also personally fulfilled. Just as God has promised something to his people, which he now fulfils in Jesus, so God has promised something to Simeon (that he will not die…) which he now fulfils in Simeon’s encounter with Jesus (…until he has seen with his own eyes). The Spirit of God in Simeon has brought the word of God to Simeon, just as the Spirit has brought the word of God to his people in scripture.

Fourth, all these announcements are marked by joy and wonder, as have all the events around Jesus’ birth, both for those bringing the word of disclosure and for those who hear those words. The theme of joy continues to be a significant part of Luke’s account, both in the gospel and in Acts.

Fifth, and in some contrast, they also include warnings of division and pain.

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Reflection for Sunday, the Presentation of the Lord. You see this child: he is destined for the fall and for the rising of many in Israel, destined to be a sign that is rejected. https://t.co/DcfdqFU3Gh pic.twitter.com/zCM5gJnteH

— Deacon Paul O’Connor (@deaconpauloc) February 2, 2020

‘The blessed Mary offered her sacrifice to God with the child, as it was appointed in God’s law. It was so appointed in the old law, by God’s command, that those who could afford it should bring a lamb of one year old with their child, as an offering to God, and a pigeon or a turtle-dove. But if any woman were so poor that she could not obtain those things, then she should bring two young pigeons or two turtle-doves.

This smaller offering was offered for Christ, that is, the birds, which were the offerings of the poor. The Almighty Son of God was very mindful of our needs in all things; not only did he choose to become man for us, though he was God, but he also chose to become needy for us, though he was mighty, so that he might give us a portion in his kingdom and communion with his divinity. A lamb betokens innocence and the greater kind of goodness; but if we are so wretched that we cannot offer to God that greater goodness, then we should bring him two turtle-doves or two young pigeons; that is, a twofold burgeoning of awe and love. A person experiences this burgeoning in two ways: first, he dreads the torments of hell, and mourns for his sins; then afterwards he feels love to God, and he begins to murmur, and it seems to him too long a time until he shall be taken from the afflictions of this life, and brought to eternal rest.’

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‘On this day the true Light, Christ, was borne to the temple’. An Anglo-Saxon Sermon for Candlemas: https://t.co/cfIDnVrGBL pic.twitter.com/QwjH1zY0QC

— Eleanor Parker (@ClerkofOxford) February 2, 2017

Almighty and everliving God, we humbly beseech thee that, as thy only-begotten Son was this day presented in the temple, so we may be presented unto thee with pure and clean hearts by the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord; who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

Today is the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord It occurs 40 days after Jesus’ birth also known as Candlemas day due to the blessing & lighting of candles as a symbolic representation of the words of the prophet Simeon concerning Christ as a “light to reveal God to the World.” pic.twitter.com/Eb39t8CF3j

— Fr. Grant Ciccone ☩ (@FrGrantCiccone) February 2, 2020

Lift up your heads, O gates! and be lifted up, O ancient doors! that the King of glory may come in.
Who is the King of glory? The LORD, strong and mighty, the LORD, mighty in battle!
Lift up your heads, O gates! and be lifted up, O ancient doors! that the King of glory may come in.
Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory!

–Psalm 24:7-10

Ps 24:7 Lift up your heads, O gates! And be lifted up, O ancient doors that the King of glory may come in pic.twitter.com/dHOuVARGej

— heine kapp (@HeineKapp) November 1, 2017