31/1/2010 Epiphany 4

Theme: Follow the Light of Jesus

Bible Reading

Luke chapter 2 verses 25-35

Preparation

Candlemas is celebrated on 2nd February, but may be transferred to the succeeding Sunday. It celebrates the presentation of the baby Jesus in the Temple at Jerusalem forty days after his birth. In churches this may be remembered as a turning from Christmas towards Lent, and the service will include a turning towards the door of the church, a recitation of the Nunc Dimittis (Luke chapter 2 verses 29-32), and the burning of last year's Palm Crosses to create the ashes for the Ash Wednesday imposition of ashes. Elements of this service have been incorporated into this act of collective worship.

You will require candles which are safe to carry in procession (you may feel safer using battery torches!). You may also like to use a doll to symbolise the baby Jesus.

Introduction

Black out the assembly hall as effectively as possible. Select two children to play Mary and Joseph, and a sensible child from each class (it is probably wise to brief all of these beforehand). Give each child a candle. Stand the children at the front of the hall - light Mary and Joseph's candles.

The Message

Tell the story of the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple - explain how Jesus' parents brought him to the Temple, just as any other Jewish parents would have done at that time, to give thanks for his birth. Someone came up to them who had been waiting for them for very many years. Simeon recognised the baby as someone very special, whose life, and death, would affect people throughout the world. He told the parents about this, and they were amazed, but he turned out to be right, because Jesus' name is now known throughout the whole world.
Simeon told Mary and Joseph that Jesus would be like a light for the whole world, and we remember this promise in the churches today with candles at a special service called Candlemas.

Mary and Joseph should light the candles of the other pupils. Explain how, in the churches, people will have celebrated by a service which includes a turning towards the door of the church as if turning away from all the special celebrations of Christmas and looking forward towards Lent and Easter. This is what you are going to do now. The candle bearers should go and stand by the door of the hall, all the assembly should stand.

Prayer

Everyone should stand quietly for a few moments focussing on the candles and use the time to reflect on preparing for the future, and the story they have just heard. You may like to actually read the Nunc Dimmitis at this stage, although the language will be difficult for the children.

In silence each class should follow its candle bearer back to their classroom - following their own special Jesus Light. Mary, Joseph and Jesus remain until everyone else has left.