Just a Minute

THIS coming Monday the church celebrates The Presentation of Christ in the Temple, which marks one of the very early events in Christ's life.

By The Newsroom

Published 30th Jan 2009, 11:37 BST

Updated 7th Jun 2018, 20:04 BST

Coming 40 days after Christmas it was the first opportunity for the proud parents to take their young child into the Temple to give thanks for his safe arrival on the world stage.

This wasn't anything special because it was Jesus; it would have happened in every family at that time in that area of the world.

In our modern world this event has slipped into being one of those feast days which has tended to be side-lined.

Probably the one thing which is still remembered from this event is the evensong canticle '“ Nunc Dimittis '“ the Song of Simeon, said by the elderly priest who had waited hopefully to see the Messiah before dying.

It has I feel given us some very comforting words to close a funeral service with 'Lord now lettest thy servant depart in peace . .'

Jesus